Physical Properties

• vapor pressure = 175 mmHg at 20 deg C
• halogenated ether
• mild, sweet,ethereal oder

Organ System Effects

Cardiovascular

• negative cardiac inotrope
• lowers cardiac output, arterial blood pressure, myocardial oxygen consumption
• heart rate usual increases
Respiratory

• rapid, shallow breathing with increased p_aCO₂
• abolishes hypoxic drive
• bronchodilator
• depresses mucocillary function
• marked respiratory depression so that at 1 MAC, p_aCO₂ = 60 mmHg
CNS
• general anesthesia, MAC = 1.7
• increases CBF and ICP
• increases CSF secretion
• deep enflurane aneshthesia -> EEG spike-and-wave pattern -> tonic-clonic seizures, exacerbated by hypocapnia (so hyperventilation not recommended)
• decreases CMRO₂ (unless seizures occur)

Biotransformation and Toxicity

• fluoride is produced but even after 10 MAC-hours average concentrations are < 40 micromols/L
• causing mild reduction in renal concentrating ability

Contraindications/Precautions

• malignant hyperthermia susceptibility
• preexisting kidney disease
• seizure disorder
• intracranial hypertension
• isoniazid enhances enflurane defluorination

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