Which group of volatile anesthetics decreases systemic vascular resistance?

Which group of volatile anesthetics decreases systemic vascular resistance?

• A. A Desflurane, Sevoflurane, and Isoflurane
• B. B Halothane and Isoflurane
• C. C Desflurane and Halothane
• D. D Halothane and Isoflurane

Answer: (A)

Volatile anesthetics cause vasodilation of the systemic vascular smooth muscle, leading to a fall in systemic vascular resistance and a drop in blood pressure. This vasodilatory effect is most consistently pronounced with the modern volatile agents desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane. They produce dose-dependent relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, which lowers afterload without relying on other mechanisms. Halothane also decreases vascular resistance, but its clinical profile is more variable due to marked myocardial depression and potential for arrhythmias. This makes its vasodilatory effect less predictable in isolation, so the group that most consistently demonstrates the decrease in SVR comprises desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane.

Volatile anesthetics cause vasodilation of the systemic vascular smooth muscle, leading to a fall in systemic vascular resistance and a drop in blood pressure. This vasodilatory effect is most consistently pronounced with the modern volatile agents desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane. They produce dose-dependent relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, which lowers afterload without relying on other mechanisms.

Halothane also decreases vascular resistance, but its clinical profile is more variable due to marked myocardial depression and potential for arrhythmias. This makes its vasodilatory effect less predictable in isolation, so the group that most consistently demonstrates the decrease in SVR comprises desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane.