Pregnancy decreases the requirement for inhaled anesthetic agents

Abstract

The effects of pregnancy on requirements for inhalation anesthetic agents were evaluated. The minimum alveolar concentrations (MAC) of halothane, methoxyflurane, and isoflurane needed to prevent movement in response to a standard stimulus were determined in 6 pregnant and 6 nonpregnant ewes. Pregnancy was associated with significant reductions in MAC of 32% for methoxyflurane, 25% for halothane, and 40% for isoflurane.