A comparison of sevoflurane with halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on bronchoconstriction caused by histamine

This study was conducted to assess the effect of sevoflurane on lung resistance and compliance, and its responsiveness to histamine. We studied eight dogs to compare the effect of sevoflurane, isoflurane, enflurane, and halothane on bronchoconstriction caused by histamine. Baseline values of pulmonary resistance (RL) and dynamic pulmonary compliance (Cdyn) were measured prior to administration of histamine. Histamine (2, 4, and 8 micrograms.kg-1) were administered iv, and the values of RL and Cdyn at the time of peak effect were recorded. Under 1 or 2 MAC anaesthesia, sevoflurane as well as the other three anaesthetics had no bronchoactive effects. The four anaesthetics, including sevoflurane, demonstrated inhibitory effect on increases in RL and decreases in Cdyn caused by histamine. At 1 MAC anaesthesia, % changes in RL caused by 2, 4, or 8 micrograms.kg-1 of histamine were 38 +/- 11, 85 +/- 21, or 132 +/- 24% (mean +/- SE) for halothane, and 65 +/- 11, 132 +/- 15, or 172 +/- 19% for sevoflurane, respectively. Sevoflurane was less effective than halothane in preventing increases in RL. In preventing decreases in Cdyn, sevoflurane was less effective than halothane only at 8 micrograms.kg-1 of histamine under 1 and 2 MAC anaesthesia. There was no difference in attenuating effect on changes in RL and Cdyn between sevoflurane and isoflurane or enflurane. We concluded that sevoflurane was less potent than halothane in attenuating changes in RL and Cdyn in response to iv histamine.