JOURNAL HOME CME HOME THIS MONTH PAST ISSUES ETOC COLLECTIONS AUTHORS REVIEWERS EDITORIAL BOARD FEEDBACK RSS HELP
		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lake, C. L. Articles by Engle, J. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Lake, C. L. Articles by Engle, J. S.

Reduction in Halothane MAC

Comparison of Morphine and Alfentanil

The Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Abstract

The anesthetic potency and effectiveness of alfentanil and morphine were established by determining the effects of increasing drug doses on the alveolar anesthetic requirement of halothane to maintain a constant anesthetic (MAC) level. Six selected doses of alfentanil and four of morphine were administered to groups of mechanically ventilated rats anesthetized with halothane. Alfentanil was given as a loading dose followed by an intravenous infusion of 0.01–100 µg. kg ^–1.min ^–1, and morphine was administered as a subcutaneous dose of 4–20 mg/kg. The reduction in halothane requirement after morphine was biphasic, with a rapid linear increase occurring up to an 8 mg/kg subcutaneous dose, followed by a further, slower reduction in halothane requirement after doses of 8–20 mg/kg. At a 20 mg/kg dose, the halothane MAC was reduced approximately 84%. With alfentanil, a curvilinear reduction in halothane MAC occurred up to an alfentanil dose of 15µg. kg ^–1.min ^–1, where a 48% reduction was found. Larger doses produced severe truncal, chest wall, and abdominal rigidity, precluding adequate ventilation and the determination of MAC

Key Words: ANALGESICS—alfentanil. • ANESTHETICS, volatile—halothane. • POTENCY, anesthetic—MAC.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. F. A. Hendrickx, E. I. Eger II, J. M. Sonner, and S. L. Shafer Is Synergy the Rule? A Review of Anesthetic Interactions Producing Hypnosis and Immobility Anesth. Analg., August 1, 2008; 107(2): 494 - 506. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Anesthesia & Analgesia® is published for the International Anesthesia Research Society® by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins with the assistance of Stanford University Libraries' HighWire Press®. Copyright 2006 by the International Anesthesia Research Society. Online ISSN: 1526-7598   Print ISSN: 0003-2999