Volatile anesthetic
Sevoflurane
Ultane No ASTM class color (white) MAC ≈ 2.0% (age ≈ 40)
Sweet-smelling, non-pungent volatile — the standard for maintenance and inhalational induction.
Typical adult doses
| Indication | Dose | Onset | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Titrated to ≈ 0.7–1 MAC with adjuncts (team decides) | — | — |
Mechanism
Multiple targets (GABA-A, glycine, NMDA, K⁺ channels).
Key effects
- Dose-dependent ↓BP, respiratory depression (↓Vt, ↑RR)
- Bronchodilation
Watch out for
- Malignant hyperthermia trigger
- Compound A: label limits low fresh-gas flow
Pimp questions
Pimp question
Name the MAC values of sevo, des, iso and N₂O.
Answer
≈ 2.0%, 6.0%, 1.2% and 104% (age ≈ 40, in O₂). MAC falls ≈ 6% per decade after 40.