[Uptake and distribution of sevoflurane]

Sevoflurane is characterized by a low blood/gas partition coefficient of 0.69, only desflurane and nitrous oxide have lower blood/gas solubilities. Alveolar equilibration is fast, a feature useful for rapid induction of anesthesia. Because of its pleasant smell, mask induction is feasible and routinely used in clinical settings. Formation of inorganic fluoride by metabolism and by compound A by degradation in CO2-absorbent has not yet been shown to be nephrotoxic in humans. Pulmonal elimination of sevoflurane is rapid because of its low blood solubility. Clinical results showed that rapidity of recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia is equal to that of desflurane anesthesia. Physicochemical properties of sevoflurane allow its application in conventional vaporizers.