Intravenous and Inhalation Anesthetics - Pharmacology of Inhalation Anesthetics

Inhalation anesthetics are usually administered for the maintenance of general anesthesia but also can be used for induction, especially in pediatric patients. General properties of commonly used inhalation anesthetics are summarized in Table 12.3. Dosages of inhalation anesthetics are expressed as MAC, the minimum alveolar concentration at 1 atm at which 50% of patients do not move in response to a surgical stimulus. MAC is additive (e.g., 0.5 MAC nitrous oxide + 0.5 MAC isoflurane = 1 MAC total).

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