CJA
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a scholarly reply
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by JOHNSTONE, M.
Right arrow Articles by MURPHY, P. V.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by JOHNSTONE, M.
Right arrow Articles by MURPHY, P. V.

Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 8, 53-63, Copyright © 1961 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

The Halothane-Ether Azeotrope: An Illogical Mixture

MICHAEL JOHNSTONE M.D., F.F.A.R.C.S.1, VINCENT EVANS M.B., D.A., and PATRICK V. MURPHY M.B., B.CH., B.A.O.2

1 Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Infirmary, Manchester, England
2 Present address: Crumpsall Hospital, Manchester, England

1. The halothane-ether azeotrope 3 per cent in oxygen has beeln administered to twenty patients already adequately anaesthetized with halothane. Respiration was artificially maintained between 8–10 L. per min., usfng non-return breathing equipment.

2. Systolic blood pressures were frequently recorded by sphygmomanometry and vasculometry. The amplitude of the peripheral pulse was continuously displayed by a simple vasculometer and vasculograms were obtained at frequent intervals.

3. It was observed that the azeotrope in most patients caused a progressive decline in blood pressure which reached profound levels in five patients. The hypotension was associated with a decrease in the amplitude of the pulse wave in all cases and circulatory stasis with cyanosis was seen in six cases.

4. It is concluded that the administration of mixtures of ether and halothane is illogical and the physical and pharmacological reasons for this conclusion are presented.

5. It is suggested that halothane by itself in oxygen is fully capable of providing all the necessities of safe and effective anaesthesia.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1961 by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society.