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Published on: September 24, 2020
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Volatile anesthetics in the intensive care unit
Alexander Morrison-Nozik1, Marcin Wąsowicz1
1Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Anaesthesiology Intensive Therapy
|July 23, 2025
Summary
Volatile anesthetics offer effective and safe sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU), showing promise for faster recovery compared to intravenous options. This review explores their use for critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Volatile anesthetics are increasingly considered for sedation in intensive care units (ICUs).
- Agents like sevoflurane and isoflurane have suitable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles for ICU sedation.
- Existing studies support their efficacy and safety, particularly concerning recovery times.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on volatile anesthetic-based sedation in critically ill patients.
- To discuss the benefits and perspectives of using volatile agents for sedation in the ICU.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies and literature on volatile anesthetic sedation in ICUs.
- Analysis of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of sevoflurane and isoflurane.
- Comparison of volatile agents with intravenous sedatives regarding efficacy and safety.
Main Results:
- Volatile anesthetics demonstrate favorable efficacy and safety profiles in ICU settings.
- Studies indicate shorter wake-up and extubation times compared to intravenous sedatives.
- Pharmacodynamic properties may offer advantages in specific disease states.
Conclusions:
- Volatile-based sedation is a viable and potentially advantageous alternative for critically ill patients.
- Further research is ongoing to optimize the use of volatile anesthetics for ICU sedation.
- These agents present a promising option for managing sedation in mechanically ventilated patients.
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