Past, present, and future of nitrous oxide
1Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA,USA.
British Medical Bulletin
|March 13, 2018
Summary
Nitrous oxide (N2O) offers significant analgesic and anesthetic benefits but faces scrutiny due to its environmental impact. Emerging research explores its potential for treating depression and combating the opioid crisis.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Environmental Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) has been a clinical staple for nearly two centuries.
- Its continued use is debated due to environmental concerns versus established clinical advantages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current standing of nitrous oxide in clinical practice.
- To evaluate the balance between its benefits and environmental drawbacks.
- To identify emerging research areas for N2O.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed.
- The review encompassed both preclinical and clinical studies.
- Search terms were selected based on the defined scope of the review.
Main Results:
- Nitrous oxide retains significant analgesic and anesthetic properties, even with newer alternatives available.
- Environmental concerns, specifically its greenhouse gas effect and enzyme inhibition, are prominent points of controversy.
- Growing evidence supports N2O's efficacy in treating resistant depression.
Conclusions:
- Despite environmental controversies, nitrous oxide's clinical benefits persist.
- Further research into its role in managing treatment-resistant depression and the opioid epidemic is warranted.
- Comparative studies are crucial to fully assess N2O's future clinical utility.
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