Xenon: from stranger to guardian.
OBJECTIVE
Xenon anaesthesia has recently been evaluated in large-scale clinical trials that have demonstrated xenon's safe and effective clinical profile. Despite the relatively high cost of xenon anaesthesia, xenon has clear clinical advantages over other current anaesthetics.


RESULTS
Xenon possesses distinct neuroprotective and cardioprotective properties in addition to a favourable pharmacokinetic profile and analgesic effects. In addition, xenon exerts preconditioning effects in the heart and may offer postoperative, as well as intraoperative, cardio and neuroprotection.


CONCLUSIONS
Further clinical trials are required to evaluate the role that xenon can play in the perioperative period.
Sanders
Robert D
RD
Department of Anaesthetics and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK.
Maze
Mervyn
M