Comparison of the analgesic potency of xenon and nitrous oxide in humans evaluated by experimental pain.
We have compared the analgesic potency of MAC-equivalent concentrations of xenon (10, 20, 30 and 40%) and nitrous oxide (15, 30, 45 and 60%) in humans using a multimodal experimental pain testing and assessment technique. We tested 12 healthy volunteers in a randomized, single-blind, crossover study. The following experimental pain tests were used: nociceptive reflex to repeated stimuli; pain tolerance to maximal effort tourniquet ischaemia; electrical stimulation; mechanical pressure; and cold. Reaction time was also measured. Xenon and nitrous oxide produced analgesia to ischaemic, electrical and mechanical stimulation, but not to cold pain. There was no difference in MAC-equivalent concentrations of xenon and nitrous oxide. Both increased reaction time in a similar manner. Xenon and nitrous oxide evoked nausea and vomiting in a large number of volunteers.
Petersen-Felix
S
S
Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland.
Luginbühl
M
M
Schnider
T W
TW
Curatolo
M
M
Arendt-Nielsen
L
L
Zbinden
A M
AM
D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014978:Xenon / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D014978:Xenon; D009609:Nitrous Oxide