Isoflurane

Isoflurane is a halogenated volatile anesthetic used to induce and maintain general anesthesia. It produces unconsciousness and immobility, with effects that depend on dose and interact with other anesthetic drugs.

Minimum alveolar concentration: The alveolar concentration of an inhaled anesthetic that prevents movement in half of patients exposed to a surgical stimulus. This measure compares isoflurane’s anesthetic potency with that of other inhaled agents.
General anesthesia: A medically induced, reversible state of unconsciousness that permits procedures while suppressing awareness and responses. Isoflurane is used to maintain this state during surgery.
Inhalational anesthetic: A drug delivered through breathing that produces some or all components of general anesthesia. Isoflurane is one member of this broad drug class.
Hypotension: Blood pressure that is lower than needed to maintain adequate tissue perfusion. Isoflurane can lower blood pressure through vasodilation and dose-dependent cardiovascular depression.
GABA receptor: A receptor activated by gamma-aminobutyric acid that mediates much of the brain’s fast inhibitory signaling. Isoflurane enhances inhibitory signaling through GABA-related mechanisms.
Anesthesia machine: A system that delivers controlled anesthetic gases and oxygen while supporting ventilation and monitoring. Its vaporizer converts liquid isoflurane into a controlled inhaled concentration.
Anesthetic depth: The degree of central nervous system depression produced by anesthetic drugs. Isoflurane concentration is adjusted to achieve an appropriate depth for the procedure.
Malignant hyperthermia: A life-threatening hypermetabolic reaction to certain anesthetics in genetically susceptible people. Isoflurane can trigger this reaction in susceptible patients.
NMDA receptor: A glutamate-gated ion channel involved in excitatory signaling, synaptic plasticity, and memory. Isoflurane can reduce excitatory signaling involving NMDA receptors.
End-tidal anesthetic concentration: The concentration of anesthetic measured in exhaled gas at the end of expiration. Clinicians use it to estimate the anesthetic concentration reaching the alveoli and brain.

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HalothaneCompared with: Isoflurane and other newer agents displaced halothane in many settings because of safety concerns.