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Related Concept Videos

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Inhaled Medications01:23

Inhaled Medications

Inhaled medications are crucial for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. They are essential for effective treatment and control, ensuring optimal respiratory health and well-being. Inhaled medication delivers drugs directly to the lungs, providing a rapid onset of action and reducing systemic side effects compared to oral or injectable medications. Three primary types of inhalation devices are used to administer these medications: nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers...
Additional Routes of Drug Administration01:18

Additional Routes of Drug Administration

Choosing the appropriate route of drug administration is significantly influenced by two key factors: the therapeutic objectives and the inherent properties of the drug being used.
Administering drugs via inhalation allows for the direct delivery of gaseous, volatile substances or droplets to different parts of the respiratory tract. One of the advantages of the inhalation route is the rapid absorption of drugs into the circulatory system, which is possible because of the large surface area of...

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Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
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Inhalation anesthetics: a review.

G Torri1

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, S. Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. torri.giorgio@hsr.it

Minerva Anestesiologica
|March 6, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review covers inhalation agents for anesthesia, discussing their pharmacokinetics, effects, and toxicity. It examines the cardioprotective benefits of halogenated agents and the roles of nitrous oxide and xenon.

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Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Inhalation agents are fundamental in balanced anesthesia.
  • Understanding their effects and safety is crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pharmacokinetics, effectiveness, and clinical effects of inhalation agents.
  • To discuss metabolism, toxicity, and chronic exposure risks.
  • To explore mechanisms of action and anesthetic theories.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pharmacokinetic and clinical data.
  • Analysis of studies on metabolism and toxicity of halogenated agents.
  • Examination of research on cardioprotective effects and anesthetic mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Inhalation agents exhibit diverse pharmacokinetic profiles and systemic effects.
  • Halogenated agents present specific metabolism and toxicity concerns, including chronic exposure risks.
  • Evidence supports cardioprotective roles for certain agents; mechanisms are multifaceted.

Conclusions:

  • Inhalation agents are effective but require careful consideration of their pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties.
  • The understanding of anesthetic mechanisms has evolved from a single theory to a multiple-mechanism concept.