Myocardial Depressant Effects of Desflurane

Abstract

Myocardial depression by desflurane is due to decreased Ca(2+) influx, whereas depolarization-activated sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) release is modestly depressed, similar to the actions of isoflurane and sevoflurane. Desflurane depressed the delayed outward K(+) current associated with significant lengthening of cardiac action potentials.