Anesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Assessment of low-flow sevoflurane and isoflurane effects on renal function using sensitive markers of tubular toxicity.
Carbon dioxide absorbents degrade sevoflurane, particularly at low gas flow rates, to fluoromethyl-2,2-difluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)vinyl ether (compound A). Compound A causes renal proximal tubular injury in rats but has had no effect on blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or creatinine concentrations in patients. This investigation compared the effects of low-flow sevoflurane and isoflurane on renal tubular function in surgical patients using conventional (BUN and creatinine) and finer indices of renal injury, specifically those biomarkers sensitive for compound A toxicity in rats (glucosuria, proteinuria, and enzymuria [N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and alpha-glutathione-S-transferase (alpha GST)]). ⋯ The renal tubular and hepatic effects of low-flow sevoflurane and isoflurane were similar as assessed using both conventional measures of hepatic and renal function and more sensitive biochemical markers of renal tubular cell necrosis. Moderate duration low-flow sevoflurane anesthesia, during which compound A formation occurs, appears to be as safe as low-flow isoflurane anesthesia.