Inhalational Anesthetics

INHALATIONAL ANESTHETICS

The inhalational anesthetics can be divided into two classes based on their physical properties. N₂O and cy-clopropane are gases at room temperature and are sup-plied in gas tanks that are regulated by the anesthesia machine. The others are liquids that are volatile follow-ing the application of low heat, which is supplied by a vaporizer attached to the anesthesia machine. The halo-genated hydrocarbons are among the most potent volatile anesthetics.