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Background: Aging is associated with a reduction in anesthetic requirements. The effects of age on the electroencephalographic response to inhalational anesthesia have not been well documented. The objective of the present study was to determine the influence of age on hypnotic requirement and electroencephalographic derivatives such as bispectral index and 95% spectral edge frequency associated with sedation induced by sevoflurane., Methods: Ninety-six patients were randomly allocated into one of three age groups A, B, and C, ranging in age from 18-39 yr, 40-64 yr, and 65-85 yr, respectively. Patients in each group were sedated with sevoflurane at two predetermined concentrations ranging between 0.45% and 0.85%. The relationship between sevoflurane concentration and response to a verbal command, as well as the relationships between response and bispectral index and 95% spectral edge frequency, was determined., Results: Multiple regression analysis showed that end-tidal sevoflurane concentration and age significantly affected both bispectral index and 95% spectral edge frequency. ED50 values of sevoflurane concentration for loss of consciousness, defined as no response to verbal command, were different between groups A and C: 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.75) versus 0.59 (95% confidence interval: 0.56-0.62). However, the same effective values of bispectral index and 95% spectral edge frequency at this same clinical end point did not differ., Conclusions: Increasing age reduced sevoflurane requirements to suppress responses to a verbal command but did not change bispectral index and 95% spectral edge frequency associated with this end point, and in a population with a wide age range, bispectral index would predict depth of sedation better than end-tidal sevoflurane concentration.

Background: Fentanyl produces a reduction in the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane and desflurane needed to blockade adrenergic response (BAR) to surgical incision in 50% of patients (MAC-BAR). MAC-BAR of sevoflurane and the reduction in MAC-BAR of sevoflurane by fentanyl have not been described previously. The purpose of this study was to determine the MAC and MAC-BAR reduction of sevoflurane by fentanyl with and without nitrous oxide (N2O)., Methods: Two hundred twenty-six patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a sevoflurane group and a sevoflurane/N2O group. Patients in each group were randomly assigned to one of five different fentanyl concentration subgroups. Patients were anesthetized with sevoflurane and fentanyl in the sevoflurane group and with sevoflurane, fentanyl, and N2O (66 vol%) in the sevoflurane/N2O group. Somatic and sympathetic responses to surgical incision were observed for MAC and MAC-BAR assessment at predetermined concentrations of sevoflurane., Results: Fentanyl produced an initial steep reduction in the MAC and MAC-BAR of sevoflurane, with 3 ng/ml resulting in a 61% reduction in MAC and an 83% reduction in MAC-BAR. A ceiling effect was observed for MAC and MAC-BAR, with 6 ng/ml fentanyl providing only an additional 13% and 9% reduction in MAC and MAC-BAR, respectively. In the presence of 66 vol% N2O, MAC and MAC-BAR of sevoflurane were reduced with increasing concentrations of fentanyL A ceiling effect was not observed for reduction in MAC and MAC-BAR in the presence of N2O., Conclusions: MAC and MAC-BAR decreased similarly with increasing concentrations of fentanyl in plasma, showing an initial steep reduction followed by a ceiling effect. In the presence of N2O, MAC and MAC-BAR decreased similarly but did not exhibit a ceiling effect.

Background: Sevoflurane anesthesia is usually performed with fresh gas flow rates greater than 2 l/min due to the toxicity of compound A in rats and limited clinical experience with sevoflurane in low-flow systems. However, to reduce costs, it would be useful to identify ways to reduce compound A concentrations in low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia. This goal of this study was to determine if compound A concentrations can be reduced by using soda lime with water added., Methods: Low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia (fresh gas flow of 1 l/min) was performed in 37 patients using soda lime with water added (perhydrated soda lime) or standard soda lime as the carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbent. The soda lime was not changed between patients, but rather was used until CO2 rebreathing occurred. The perhydrated soda lime was prepared by spraying 100 ml distilled water onto 1 kg fresh soda lime, and water was added only when a new bag of soda lime was placed into the canister. Compound A concentrations in the circle system, soda lime temperatures, inspired and end-tidal CO2 and end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations, and CO2 elimination by the patient were measured during anesthesia., Results: Compound A concentrations were significantly lower for the perhydrated soda lime (1.9 +/- 1.8 ppm; means +/- SD) than for the standard soda lime (13.9 +/- 8.2 ppm). No differences were seen between the two types of soda lime with regard to the temperature of the soda lime, end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations, or CO2 elimination. Compound A concentration decreased with the total time of soda lime use for both types of soda lime. The CO2 absorption capacity was significantly less for perhydrated soda lime than for standard soda lime., Conclusions: Compound A concentrations in the circuit can be reduced by using soda lime with water added. The CO2 absorption capacity of the soda lime is reduced by adding water to it, but this should not be clinically significant.

Background: The safety of low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia, during which CF2=C(CF3)-O-CH2F (compound A) is formed by sevoflurane degradation, in humans has been questioned because compound A is nephrotoxic in rats. Several reports have evaluated renal function after closed-circuit or low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia, using blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine as markers. However, these are not the more sensitive tests for detecting renal damage. This study assessed the effects of low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia on renal function using not only BUN and serum creatinine but also creatinine clearance and urinary excretion of kidney-specific enzymes, and it compared these values with those obtained in high-flow sevoflurane anesthesia and low-flow isoflurane anesthesia., Methods: Forty-eight patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy were studied. Patients were randomized to receive sevoflurane anesthesia with fresh gas flow of 1 l/min (low-flow sevoflurane group; n = 16) or 6-10 l/min (high-flow sevoflurane group; n = 16) or isoflurane anesthesia with a fresh gas flow of 1 l/min (low-flow isoflurane group; n = 16). In all groups, the carrier gas was oxygen/nitrous oxide in the ratio adjusted to ensure a fractional concentration of oxygen in inspired gas (FiO2) of more than 0.3. Fresh Baralyme was used in the low-flow sevoflurane and low-flow isoflurane groups. Glass balls were used instead in the high-flow sevoflurane group, with the fresh gas flow rate adjusted to eliminate rebreathing. The compound A concentration was measured by gas chromatography. Gas samples taken from the inspiratory limb of the circle system at 1-h intervals were analyzed. Blood samples were obtained before and on days 1, 2, and 3 after anesthesia to measure BUN and serum creatinine. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected before anesthesia and for each 24-h period from 0 to 72 h after anesthesia to measure creatinine, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, and alanine aminopeptidase., Results: The average inspired concentration of compound A was 20 +/- 7.8 ppm (mean +/- SD), and the average duration of exposure to this concentration was 6.11 +/- 1.77 h in the low-flow sevoflurane group. Postanesthesia BUN and serum creatinine concentrations decreased, creatinine clearance increased, and urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and alanine aminopeptidase excretion increased in all groups compared with preanesthesia values, but there were no significant differences between the low-flow sevoflurane, high-flow sevoflurane, and low-flow isoflurane groups for any renal function parameter at any time after anesthesia., Conclusions: The only difference between the low-flow and high-flow sevoflurane groups was compound A formation, and postanesthesia laboratory data showed no significant effects of compound A formation during sevoflurane anesthesia on renal function. No significant effects on renal function were observed in either the low-flow or high-flow sevoflurane groups compared with the low-flow isoflurane group.

Background: Sevoflurane reacts with soda lime, generating degradation products. The concentrations of sevoflurane degradation products in a low-flow circuit have been reported for anesthesia times of less than 5 h. In this study, sevoflurane degradation products generated during low-flow anesthesia exceeding 10 h were examined., Methods: Sixteen patients received sevoflurane anesthesia with a fresh gas flow rate of 11/min. In eight patients, soda lime was used as the CO2 absorbent; in the other eight patients, Baralyme was used. During anesthesia, the concentrations of degradation products in the circuit, the temperature of the CO2 absorbent, inspired and end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations, and the volume of CO2 eliminated by the patient were measured. Gas was sampled from the inspiratory limb of the circuit and analyzed by gas chromatography., Results: Two degradation products, CF2 = C(CF3)-O-CH2F (compound A) and CH3OCF2CH(CF3)OCH2F (compound B), were detected. In the soda lime group, the individual maximum concentration of compound A was 23.6 +/- 2.9 (12.0-37.4) ppm. In the Baralyme group, the concentration was 32.0 +/- 2.3 (23.5-41.3) ppm. The individual maximum concentration of compound A in the Baralyme group was significant higher than A in the Baralyme group was significant higher than that in the soda lime group. Compound B was detected in two patients, reaching a maximum concentration of 0.2 ppm. The end-tidal sevoflurane concentration, temperature of the CO2 absorbent, and volume of CO2 eliminated by the patient were the same in both groups., Conclusions: The degradation products detected were at low concentrations in long-duration, low-flow anesthesia with sevoflurane. Baralyme produced higher concentrations of degradation products than soda lime.

Background: Sevoflurane reacts with CO2 absorbents, resulting in the generation of breakdown products. The concentrations of sevoflurane breakdown products in a low-flow system within 5 h have been reported, but concentrations in low-flow anesthesia exceeding 5 h or in closed-circuit anesthesia have not. In this study, the breakdown products of sevoflurane in closed-circuit anesthesia exceeding 5 h were examined., Methods: Closed-circuit sevoflurane anesthesia was administered to ten patients. Laboratory tests of hepatic and renal function were performed before and after anesthesia. Gas samples were obtained from the inspiratory limb of the anesthesia circuit, and breakdown products were analyzed by gas chromatography. The temperature of the soda lime was measured during anesthesia., Results: Among the breakdown products of sevoflurane, two products, CF2 = C(CF3)-O-CH2F (compound A) and CH3OCF2CH(CF3)OCH2F (compound B), were detected. Compound A was detected in all measurements, and its concentration reached 19.5 +/- 5.4 ppm 1 h after anesthesia and decreased after 5 h. The highest concentration observed for compound A was 30.0 ppm. Compound B was detected in seven of the ten patients; its concentration was 0.17 +/- 0.37 ppm after 0.5 h of anesthesia and remained at similar concentrations thereafter. The highest mean temperature of the soda lime was 46.0 +/- 1.7 degrees C. Postanesthetic clinical laboratory tests showed no abnormalities in hepatic or renal function associated with anesthesia., Conclusions: Two breakdown products were detected in the patients anesthetized with sevoflurane using a closed-circuit technique. No abnormalities were observed during anesthesia, and no evidence of hepatic or renal dysfunction was noted in postoperative laboratory tests.