desflurane
Last reviewed 01/2018
Desflurane is a relatively new inhalational ether-derived anaesthetic agent. It has the advantages of:
- rapid onset and reversal
- more pleasant to inhale than isoflurane
However, its disadvantages include:
- low boiling point and so relies on new vaporizers
- one-fifth the potency of isoflurane
- not recommended in children because of an increased risk of coughing, apnoea and larygnospasm