Xenon anesthesia and beyond: pros and cons

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Neurosurgery
• Transplantation

Background:

• Xenon is a noble gas used as an anesthetic and radiological marker.
• It has a Minimum Alveolar Concentration (MAC) of approximately 63%.
• Xenon anesthesia is linked to quick cognitive function recovery and stable hemodynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the advantages and disadvantages of xenon as an anesthetic agent.
• To highlight the potential therapeutic applications of xenon in Central Nervous System (CNS) protection and organ graft preservation.
• To identify gaps in current research regarding xenon's effects on ischemia-reperfusion injury and cerebral perfusion pressure.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies on xenon anesthesia.
• Analysis of clinical data concerning xenon's effects on cognitive function, cardiovascular stability, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).
• Evaluation of preclinical and clinical evidence on xenon's cytoprotective properties and its impact on organ transplantation and neurological injury.

Main Results:

• Xenon anesthesia demonstrates rapid recovery of cognitive function and maintains cardiovascular stability.
• A significant drawback is the high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).
• Emerging evidence suggests cytoprotective effects beneficial for CNS protection and organ preservation.

Conclusions:

• Xenon presents a favorable profile for anesthetic recovery and hemodynamic stability.
• The high rate of PONV requires careful management and further investigation.
• Xenon's potential in organ transplantation and neuroprotection warrants more extensive clinical research, particularly concerning its effects on ischemia-reperfusion injury and intracranial pressure.