Sevoflurane

Sevoflurane (pronounced as sev-oh-floo-rane) is a sweet-smelling, nonflammable, highly fluorinated methyl isopropyl ether used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia.

Etymology

The term "Sevoflurane" is derived from its chemical name, fluoromethyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl ether. It was developed by scientists at Baxter Laboratories and first introduced in Japan in 1990.

Pharmacology

Sevoflurane is a volatile anesthetic. It is part of the ether family, and undergoes rapid biotransformation. It is often used for outpatient anesthesia, due to its low blood/gas partition coefficient. This means that it is less soluble in blood, allowing faster induction and recovery times.

Medical Uses

Sevoflurane is used for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, and for sedation for mechanically ventilated adults, and procedural sedation. It is also used in veterinary medicine. It is preferred for use in patients with bronchial asthma or bronchospasm as it is less irritating to the airways.

Side Effects

Common side effects of Sevoflurane include respiratory depression, cough, and nausea or vomiting. It may also cause a rare, but serious condition known as malignant hyperthermia in susceptible individuals.

Related Terms

• Anesthesia
• Inhalational anesthetic
• Malignant hyperthermia
• Bronchospasm
• Ether (chemistry)

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Sevoflurane
• Wikipedia's article - Sevoflurane

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