title: The uses of helium and xenon in current clinical practice.
abstract: The noble gases have always been an enigma. Discovered late in the history of chemistry and in seemingly small quantities in our atmosphere, they are some of the most unreactive elements known. However, despite being extremely inert, the noble gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon) have found diverse and ever expanding applications in medicine. Of all of them, the gases that have found the greatest number of uses in the field of anaesthesia and related specialties are helium and xenon. This review focuses on the history of the discovery of both gases, their unique physicochemical properties and describes their uses in clinical practice with particular emphasis on those applicable to anaesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Royal Brompton and Marchfield NHS Trust, Hill End Road, Harefield, Middlesex UB9 6JH, UK. harris_pd@hotmail.com
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000379:methods*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000737:chemistry; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006371:Helium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy; D014978:Xenon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D006371:Helium; D014978:Xenon; C038949:heliox; D010100:Oxygen