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British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2002, Vol. 88, No. 5 624-627
© 2002 The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia

Editorial

Editorial II

Effects of anaesthetic agents on airway smooth muscles

M. Yamakage1

1Department of Anesthesiology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

It is important for anaesthetists to know how anaesthetic agents that are used clinically can affect airway smooth muscle tone, as patients with airway hyper-reactivity such as asthma or emphysema regularly present for anaesthesia. Hirshman and Bergman1 first reviewed the factors influencing intrapulmonary airway calibre during anaesthesia. Subsequently, many investigators have reported direct and indirect effects of several anaesthetic agents on airway smooth muscle tone, using appropriate and sophisticated techniques. It is essential first to understand the basic physiology of the regulation of airway smooth muscle tone.

Regulation of airway smooth muscle tone

Airway smooth muscle tone is determined by the balance of constrictor and dilator mechanisms, which, in turn, are mediated by receptors and channels on the surface of smooth muscle cells. Activation of these receptors and channels alters the intracellular concentration of free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), which itself controls the contractile state of muscle through the Ca2+-dependent stimulation of myosin light chain . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Research techniques used in this area

Inhibitory actions of volatile anaesthetics on airway smooth muscle

Effects of other anaesthetic agents on airway smooth muscle

Different reactivities to volatile anaesthetics in proximal and distal airways

From now on ...

References


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