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Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 11, 476-495, Copyright © 1964 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Observations on Anatomical Dead Space during General Anaesthesia

R DÉRY MD, FRCP(C)1, J PELLETIER MD1, and A JACQUES CD, MD, FRCP(C)1

1 Department of Anaesthesia and Resuscitation, Hôtel-Dieu of Quebec, Québec, PQ

The determination of anatomical dead space is proposed as a suitable means to indirect appreciation of changes induced by anaesthetic agents on broncho-motor tone and bronchial calibre. Such determinations were performed in 36 patients prior to, during, and after anaesthesia produced with halothane, thio-pentone, methoxyflurane, and with the azeotiopic mixture of halothane–ether. No significant changes were observed wih halothane. Thiopentone administration induced a consistent reduction in anatomical dead space. Signiicantly higher values, however, were found during methoxyflurane and halothan–ether anaesthesia, a finding we interpreted as bronchodilatation.

We suggest that the mechanism underlying the production of these variations in airway calibre is one of autonomic imbalance between sympathetic broncho-dilator and parasympathetic bronchoconstrictor fibres, although either a direct action of anaesthetic drugs on bronchial smooth muscle itself or an indirect humoral approach may well be involved.

Note:

Presented at the Annual Meeting, Canadian Anaesthetists Society, May 10–14, 1964






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Copyright © 1964 by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society.