When considering the odorless, colorless inert gas xenon, the question arises as to whether this gas could be the ideal anesthetic agent of the future. The properties of this inert gas considered excellent.
Xenon Anaesthesia
The induction/ removal phase is very short.
When a mixture of 30 Vol. % oxygen and 70 Vol. % xenon is used, the analgesic effect is excellent. In addition, xenon has no effect
on the hemodynamics or compliance of the lungs. Xenon is also considered environmentally friendly. Since this gas is only available in limited quantities, its use is extremely costly.
Means must be found to scavenge the gas by using special scavenging equipment or it must be sparingly used (for example by implementing a closed rebreathing system). Xenon anaesthesia is not yet registered nor is it validated for pediatric anesthesia.
Xenon a “noble” gas that has long been known to have anesthetic properties. It is an inert element that does not form chemical bonds. Xenon scavenged from the atmosphere through a costly distillation process.
Properties of Xenon
Low solubility
Blood-gas distribution coefficient: 0.14
It an odorless, nonexplosive, naturally occurring gas with a MAC of .71, giving it very fast onset and emergence parameters.
As previously mentioned, xenon’s anesthetic effects seem to be mediated by NMDA inhibition by competing with glycine at the glycine binding site.
Xenon seems to have little effect on cardiovascular, hepatic, or renal systems and has been found to be protective against neuronal ischemia.
As a natural element, it has no effect upon the ozone layer compared with another NMDA antagonist, nitrous oxide. Cost and limited availability have prevented its widespread use. The potential nephrotoxicity of the resulting