Enflurane (Ethrane, compound 347) in man *
Enflurane (2 chloro-1, 1,2-trifluoroethyl difluoro methyl ether) (CHFrOCFrCHFC1) is a halogenated liquid developed by Ross Terrell with the trade name Ethrane1’2. Enflurane has a pleasant, non-irritating smell, is volatile, colourless, non-flammable, stable with soda-lime, and unaffected by metals, light, moisture, heat and oxygen. It is non-explosive in anaesthetic concentrations when mixed with oxygen, air or nitrous oxide. Table 1 shows its physical and chemical characteristics. Virtue et al. 3 confirmed the anaesthetic properties of enflurane in dogs. They found that the agent was incompatible with the use of adrenaline and discovered some evidence of neuromuscular excitation under deep anaesthesia. McDowell and his colleagues4 also used enflurane on dogs. They produced some cardiac and respiratory depression and reported that it
Induction and recovery with enflurane and halothane in paediatric anaesthesia.
One hundred and four infants and children were included in a comparative study of anesthesia with either enflurane or halothane. Induction and recovery were significantly shorter with enflurane than with halothane. There was little difference between the drugs in respect of their postoperative sequelae.
Circulatory dynamics during light halothane anaesthesia.
The inlet of the Fluotec vaporizer was connected to the open circuit of the anaesthetic machine, on which gas flows of N,O and O, were set at a 2:1 ratio. The flow rate exceeded slightly the minute volume of ventilation set on the piston motor (powered by compressed air or oxygen), which drove the Etsten ventilator. Tne outlet of the Fluotec vaporizer was connected to a collector bag on the Etsten ventilator. After each inspiratory stroke delivered a a fixed volume of anaesthetic vapour through a Fink valve, a like volume passed from the collector bag to the ventilator bellows. When the flow of anaesthetic exceeded the minute volume setting, the excess was vented through the compensating valve.