Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

692
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...
692
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

425
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.
425
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

1.1K
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...
1.1K
Inhaled Medications01:23

Inhaled Medications

543
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...
543
General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

399
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...
399
Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications01:23

Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications

709
Local anesthetics (LAs) are commonly used for various applications in medical and dental procedures. Some of the common agents used are cocaine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine.
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
709

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Hidden cytotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction in 3D-printing polymers: evidence from FLEX, PETG and PC.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Polystyrene micro- and nanoparticles cellular uptake, toxicological effects, and exocytosis. Short review of in vitro studies.

Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA·2026
Same author

Phase-specific dynamics of coagulation factors V, VIII, and XIII during liver transplantation: insights from a prospective study.

Perioperative medicine (London, England)·2026
Same author

Correction: Impact of mild hypo- and hyperventilation on cerebral oxygen supply during general anesthesia.

Perioperative medicine (London, England)·2026
Same author

FXII decline during cardiopulmonary bypass and the limits of routine coagulation assays: a prospective observational analysis.

Perioperative medicine (London, England)·2026
Same author

Correction: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction after beach chair positioning compared to supine position in orthopaedic surgery in the elderly.

Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery·2025
Same journal

[Promoting young academics in anesthesiology: factors for an attractive internship].

Der Anaesthesist·2022
Same journal

[Respiratory support in COVID-19: all in due time!]

Der Anaesthesist·2022
Same journal

[Noninvasive respiratory support and invasive ventilation in COVID‑19 : Where do we stand today?]

Der Anaesthesist·2022
Same journal

[Management of acutely decompensated liver cirrhosis in emergency and critical care medicine].

Der Anaesthesist·2022
Same journal

[Anesthesia in patients with acute porphyria].

Der Anaesthesist·2022
Same journal

[Quality and safe anesthesia for all children : That is their right!]

Der Anaesthesist·2022
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 21, 2025

In Vitro Method to Control Concentrations of Halogenated Gases in Cultured Alveolar Epithelial Cells
04:56

In Vitro Method to Control Concentrations of Halogenated Gases in Cultured Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Published on: October 23, 2018

6.8K

[Inhalational anesthetics].

Jan Jedlicka1, Philipp Groene2, Julia Linhart2

  • 1Klinik für Anaesthesiologie, Chirurgische Klinik Nußbaumstraße, LMU Klinikum, Campus Innenstadt, Nußbaumstr. 20, 80336, München, Deutschland. Jan.Jedlicka@med.uni-muenchen.de.

Der Anaesthesist
|January 14, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Inhalational anesthetics, used for over 150 years, offer minimal organ toxicity and superior intraoperative awareness control. They also provide unique organ-protective preconditioning benefits unmatched by other hypnotics.

Keywords:
Anesthetic gasesDesfluraneIntraoperative awarenessSevofluraneVolatile anesthetics

More Related Videos

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
09:36

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device

Published on: September 24, 2020

3.0K
The Serial Anesthesia Array for the High-Throughput Investigation of Volatile Agents Using Drosophila melanogaster
06:27

The Serial Anesthesia Array for the High-Throughput Investigation of Volatile Agents Using Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: February 24, 2023

910

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 21, 2025

In Vitro Method to Control Concentrations of Halogenated Gases in Cultured Alveolar Epithelial Cells
04:56

In Vitro Method to Control Concentrations of Halogenated Gases in Cultured Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Published on: October 23, 2018

6.8K
Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
09:36

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device

Published on: September 24, 2020

3.0K
The Serial Anesthesia Array for the High-Throughput Investigation of Volatile Agents Using Drosophila melanogaster
06:27

The Serial Anesthesia Array for the High-Throughput Investigation of Volatile Agents Using Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: February 24, 2023

910

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Inhalational anesthetics have been integral to general anesthesia for over 150 years.
  • Current agents are halogenated ether derivatives, dosed via the minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) concept.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the properties, mechanisms, and clinical roles of modern inhalational anesthetics.
  • To highlight their advantages in intraoperative awareness and organ protection.

Main Methods:

  • Review of pharmacokinetic properties governed by distribution coefficients.
  • Discussion of central nervous system receptor modulation and cell membrane interactions.
  • Assessment of organ toxicity, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), intraoperative awareness, and organ preconditioning.

Main Results:

  • Modern inhalational anesthetics exhibit minimal organ toxicity.
  • Their role in PONV has been re-evaluated.
  • They provide undisputed superiority over intravenous hypnotics for intraoperative awareness.
  • Organ preconditioning is an exclusive benefit of inhalational anesthetics.

Conclusions:

  • Inhalational anesthetics remain vital for anesthesia, offering safety and unique protective mechanisms.
  • Their efficacy in preventing intraoperative awareness and providing organ preconditioning is significant.