Increasing the Duration of Isoflurane Anesthesia Decreases the Minimum Alveolar Anesthetic Concentration in 7-Day-Old but Not in 60-Day-Old Rats

Abstract

MAC of isoflurane decreases over 1-4 h of anesthesia in 7-day-old but not in 60-day-old rats. Both pharmacodynamic and a pharmacokinetic components contribute to the decrease in MAC in 7-day-old rats. Neither endorphins nor sensory desensitization mediate the pharmacodynamic component.