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British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2003, Vol. 91, No. 2 276-278
© 2003 The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia

Short Communications

Blood/gas partition coefficients of halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane in horse blood

A. Bergadano*,1, R. Lauber2, A. Zbinden2, U. Schatzmann1 and Y. Moens1

1 University of Berne, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Anaesthesiology Division, Länggassstrasse 124, Postfach 8466 CH-3001, Bern, Switzerland. 2 University Hospital (Inselspital), Department of Anaesthesiology, Section of Research, Murtenstrasse 35, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland

Corresponding author. E-mail: alessandra.bergadano @ knp.unibe.ch

Background. Blood/gas partition coefficients ({lambda}b/g) for volatile agents in horse blood are reported for halothane but not for isoflurane and sevoflurane. We measured the {lambda}b/g of halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane in the blood of fasted horses. The correlation with age, weight and some haematological and biochemical variables was studied. The temperature correction factor for isoflurane solubility was calculated.

Methods. Twenty-four horses were randomly allocated to halothane (n=8), isoflurane (n=8) or sevoflurane (n=8). Blood samples were taken after 10 h’ fasting. Calculation of {lambda}b/g was based on the measurement of anaesthetic partial pressures in blood at 37 °C, which was achieved with tonometer equilibration and headspace gas chromatography.

Results. Mean {lambda}b/g was 1.66 (SD 0.06) for halothane, 0.92 (0.04) for isoflurane, and 0.47 (0.03) for sevoflurane. The {lambda}b/g values were all significantly lower than in humans (P<0.001). No correlation was found between {lambda}b/g and weight, age, haematocrit, plasma triglycerides, cholesterol or total bilirubin. The change in isoflurane solubility per 1 °C temperature increase was –2.63 (0.13)%.

Conclusion. The {lambda}b/g values of halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane in fasted horses are significantly lower than those reported in humans. The {lambda}b/g for halothane in this study agrees with values reported in the literature but a positive correlation with plasma triglycerides could not be confirmed. Knowledge of {lambda}b/g can refine models of anaesthetic uptake.

Br J Anaesth 2003; 91: 276–8


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