Cardiovascular and renal effects of enflurane and halothane in the dog

A comparison between the effects of increasing concentrations of enflurane and halothane on cardiovascular and renal function in the artificially ventilated dog showed that both agents produced myocardial depression which was directly related to the concentration administered. Depression was more marked, and occurred at a lower minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) value with enflurane. No significant difference was found between the effects of the two agents on renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, renal vascular resistance or urine production at anaesthetic concentrations of 1 MAC. However, there was evidence of sudden depression of renal function as concentrations of enflurane were raised above 1 MAC, but with halothane a similar deterioration did not appear until the concentration of the inhalational agent reached 2 MAC.