Isoflurane does not reduce aortic peak flow velocity in children

Haemodynamic effects of 1 MAC halothane, enflurane and isoflurane were studied in 15 healthy children using pulsed Doppler echo cardiography. Heart rate was significantly increased with isoflurane, but not with the other two agents. All three caused comparable decreases in arterial pressure. Cardiac output was increased with isoflurane, but remained unchanged with halothane and enflurane. Aortic peak flow velocity, a sensitive index of myocardial contractility, was decreased with halothane and enflurane, but not with isoflurane. These findings indicate that isoflurane causes less myocardial depression than halothane or enflurane in children.