title: Ventilatory changes during nitrous oxide isoflurane anaesthesia in children.
abstract: The changes in ventilatory variables under nitrous oxide isoflurane anaesthesia were studied in 10 children (mean age 46 +/- 13.4 months, mean weight 16.2 +/- 2.1 kg). Measurements of flow and volume were performed by pneumotachography. PE'CO2 was measured by capnography. The following variables (VE, VT, TI/TTOT, VI, PE'CO2) were measured or calculated under three increasing inspired isoflurane concentrations (0.75%, 1.5%, 2.25%). At each level of anaesthesia, ventilatory changes during exposure to an inspired CO2 fraction of 2% were studied. The increase in the inspired concentration of isoflurane was associated with a decrease in alveolar ventilation. PE'CO2 increased significantly with increasing depth of anaesthesia. The respiratory rate was slightly increased under light nitrous oxide isoflurane anaesthesia, but no further changes were observed with increasing depth of anaesthesia, although the children were breathing a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. The ventilatory response to a raised inspired CO2 is markedly decreased under light nitrous oxide isoflurane anaesthesia, and decreases significantly with increasing depth of anaesthesia. In response to a raised CO2, VE, VT and VI increase, but respiratory rate decreases or remains constant and TI/TTOT is unchanged.
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane; D008297:Male; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D007530:Isoflurane; D009609:Nitrous Oxide