DESFLURANE CLINICAL PHARMACOKINETICS AND PHARMACODYNAMICS

Desflurane is a new volatile anaesthetic agent, with qualitative physi ological and pharmacological effects similar to those of previously av ailable drugs of this type. The feature that sets desflurane apart fro m other halogenated, volatile anaesthetics is its low solubility in bl ood and body tissues. Therefore, its uptake, distribution and eliminat ion are more rapid than those for similar drugs. Desflurane undergoes negligible metabolism, and should have a low potential for producing t oxic effects. Because it has a high vapour pressure desflurane needs a special delivery system, a heated, pressurised vaporiser. Its low sol ubility gives it the ability to produce rapid alterations in depth of anaesthesia and rapid emergence and recovery from anaesthesia.