A comparison of the effects of desflurane and isoflurane on arterial oxygenation during one-lung ventilation

In a randomised prospective cross-over study, we compared the effects of de sflurane and isoflurane on arterial oxygenation, heart rate and mean arteri al pressure during one-lung anaesthesia. Thirty patients scheduled for oeso phagogastrectomy were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group of 15 patients received desflurane to an end-tidal concentration of 6% in oxyg en from induction until the end of 30 min of open chest one-lung ventilatio n in the lateral position. This was followed by isoflurane to an end-tidal concentration of 1.1% in oxygen for the next 30 min of one-lung ventilation . The other group of 15 patients received the two anaesthetic agents in the reverse order. We found no significant difference in arterial oxygenation, heart rate or mean arterial pressure between the two inhalational agents. In the subgroup of 10 patients with pulmonary artery catheters, we found no significant differences in mixed venous saturation, derived shunt or cardi ac output. We conclude that during one-lung ventilation, the choice between desflurane and isoflurane does not significantly influence arterial oxygen ation.