Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 13, 233-241, Copyright © 1966 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Difluoromethyl 1,1,2-Trifluoro-2-Chloroethyl Ether as an Anaesthetic Agent: Results with Dogs, and a Preliminary Note on Observations with man

¹ Division of Anesthesiology and the Cardiovascular Laboratory, University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver, Colorado

1. Difluoromethyl 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-chloro ethyl ether (DFMTFCE), a proposed new anaesthetic agent, was administered to dogs by open-drop and produced smooth anaesthesia without salivation, irritation, or nausea.

2. When epinephrine was given intravenously to 16 dogs asleep with DFMTFCE, three went into ventricular fibrillation.

3. The concentration of DFMTFCE required for surgical anaesthesia was roughly twice that with halothane for the same animals.

4. A latin square administration of DFMTFCE, halothane, methoxyflurane, and fluroxene demonstrated no significant effects on liver enzyme activity following the use of any of the drugs.

5. Blood glucose rose moderately with DFMTFCE; urea nitrogen was unchanged.

6. In eight volunteer subjects, DFMTFCE afforded a pleasant induction. Blood pressure dropped, as did cardiac output when anaesthesia deepened. The degree of analgesia was similar to that experienced with halothane. Spontaneous respiration ceased on attainment of surgical anaesthesia. Changing from oxygen to air produced mild hypoxaemia, at which time cardiac output increased. Waking was rapid. Three of the eight volunteers were nauseated for a short time during recovery.

7. Eleven surgical patients were given DFMTFCE for anaesthesia; the course was similar to that with halothane.

Note:

Supported by a grant from the Air Reduction Company.