Sevoflurane has less effect than halothane on pulmonary afferent activity in the rabbit

Abstract

We have compared the effects of sevoflurane and halothane on the discharge frequencies of 19 slowly adapting and four rapidly adapting lung receptors in the rabbit by recording from single vagal fibres. Both agents reduced the discharge frequency of slowly adapting receptors during expiration (P < 0.0005), halothane having a greater effect than sevoflurane (P < 0.0005). Neither agent had any effect on discharge frequency at the end of inspiration when discharge frequency is at a maximum. Neither agent affected the discharge frequency of rapidly adapting receptors.