The primary reason desflurane is not used for inhalation induction is due to which effect?

The primary reason desflurane is not used for inhalation induction is due to which effect?

• A. A Low blood/gas partition coefficient
• B. B Tendency to produce hypertension in high concentrations
• C. C Propensity to produce airway irritability
• D. D Propensity to produce tachyarrhythmias

Answer: (C)

Airway irritation is the key reason desflurane isn’t used for inhalation induction. Desflurane has a pungent, irritant vapor that can provoke coughing, breath-holding, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, and increased secretions. Inhalation induction relies on a smooth, nonirritating uptake of the agent to allow the patient to lose consciousness without triggering protective airway reflexes. These irritant effects make the induction attempt uncomfortable and potentially unsafe, especially in children, so a nonirritant agent like sevoflurane is preferred for induction. Desflurane’s low blood/gas partition coefficient does give rapid onset and emergence, which is advantageous for maintenance rather than induction, but the airway irritability is the limiting factor here. Hypertension or tachyarrhythmias at high concentrations are less central to the decision for induction compared with the airway reflexes Desflurane provokes.

Airway irritation is the key reason desflurane isn’t used for inhalation induction. Desflurane has a pungent, irritant vapor that can provoke coughing, breath-holding, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, and increased secretions. Inhalation induction relies on a smooth, nonirritating uptake of the agent to allow the patient to lose consciousness without triggering protective airway reflexes. These irritant effects make the induction attempt uncomfortable and potentially unsafe, especially in children, so a nonirritant agent like sevoflurane is preferred for induction. Desflurane’s low blood/gas partition coefficient does give rapid onset and emergence, which is advantageous for maintenance rather than induction, but the airway irritability is the limiting factor here. Hypertension or tachyarrhythmias at high concentrations are less central to the decision for induction compared with the airway reflexes Desflurane provokes.