ideal properties

Last reviewed 01/2018

There is no single agent with optimal characteristics required for inhalational anaesthesia, these being:

• low blood/gas solubility - allows rapid onset and recovery
• high potency - allows use with high oxygen concentrations
• minimal depression of other tissue, e.g. cardiorespiratory, hepatic, renal
• non-irritant
• metabolism and excretion: excreted unaltered, no toxic products and does not react with other drugs used in balanced anaesthesia
• chemically stable
• non-flammable, non-explosive, environmentally-friendly
• cheap