ISSN:
1435-702X
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The effects of volatile anesthetics, i.e., methoxyflurane, halothane and enflurane, on the electroretinogram (ERG) were studied in 15 albino rabbits. The ERG was analyzed in terms of the a-wave, and the first oscillatory component (01) in the b-wave. The 01 peak latency showed a significant dose-related prolongation when anesthetic end-tidal concentrations were in excess of 0.8 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC). One MAC, a measure of anesthetic potency, is the end-tidal concentration of an anesthetic at 1 atmosphere that induces immobility in 50% of animals against a noxious stimulus. The amplitudes of the a-wave and the 01 decreased in dose-dependent manners, but their changes were less striking than those of the 01 latency. The peak latency of the a-wave remained unchanged. We conclude that the 01 peak latency is a useful monitor of the depth of inhalational anesthesia.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02173367
