Tag: Volatile anesthetics

Severe, acute hepatic injury from the anesthetic halothane was rare, occurring in about 1 in 15,000 cases after initial exposure, yet significantly higher than modern agents. This established a historical benchmark for determining which of the following anesthetics drugs has a higher risk of causing hepatic toxicity.

The human liver, responsible for processing over 90% of all drugs, plays a pivotal role in the clearance of many anesthetic agents. Understanding **what anesthetics are metabolized by the liver** is crucial for safe patient management, especially for individuals with compromised hepatic function. This guide explores how different anesthetic classes rely on the liver and the clinical implications involved.

The notion of anesthesia having a single, distinct odor is a common misconception, as the smell depends on the specific medication used. So, what does anesthesia smell like? The answer varies greatly depending on whether inhaled or intravenous agents are being administered.

Anesthesiologists use a balanced, multi-drug technique known as general anesthesia to put patients to sleep for surgery, a complex process that involves much more than just a single medication. The goal is a state of controlled unconsciousness where a patient is unaware, immobile, and free of pain during a medical procedure.