What is the blood‑gas partition coefficient (blood‑gas solubility) of desflurane?

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Blood-Gas Solubility of Desflurane

The blood-gas partition coefficient of desflurane is 0.42 at 37°C, making it the least soluble volatile anesthetic in blood and enabling the most rapid induction and emergence from anesthesia. 1

Comparative Solubility Data

Desflurane has the lowest blood-gas partition coefficient among all commonly used volatile anesthetics:

  • Desflurane: 0.42 (FDA label) or 0.424 at 37°C 1
  • Sevoflurane: 0.62-0.69 2, 3
  • Isoflurane: 0.94-1.27 2, 4
  • Halothane: 2.46-2.54 2, 4

Human volunteer studies confirm desflurane's blood-gas partition coefficient of 0.49 ± 0.03, which was significantly lower than all other agents tested (P < 0.001) 2. This represents approximately half the solubility of sevoflurane and one-fifth the solubility of halothane 2.

Clinical Implications of Low Solubility

The exceptionally low blood-gas partition coefficient translates directly to clinical advantages:

  • Fastest washin and washout among all volatile anesthetics, with desflurane demonstrating more rapid alveolar equilibration than sevoflurane, isoflurane, and halothane in that order 2, 4
  • Rapid elimination from lungs and blood, with end-tidal concentrations (CEdes) declining fastest, followed by internal jugular-bulb blood, arterial blood, and pulmonary arterial blood concentrations 5
  • Two-phase elimination pattern: an initial rapid 5-minute washout component reflecting functional residual capacity dilution, followed by a slower 15-minute component 5

Additional Partition Coefficients

Beyond blood-gas solubility, desflurane exhibits low tissue solubility that further accelerates recovery 1:

  • Olive oil/gas: 18.7 at 37°C 1
  • Brain/gas: 0.54 at 37°C 1

These tissue partition coefficients are smaller than those of sevoflurane and isoflurane, resulting in shorter tissue time constants and faster redistribution 4.

Safety Considerations Related to Solubility

The combination of low solubility (0.42) with high vapor pressure (669 mmHg at 20°C) creates unique safety concerns 1, 6:

  • Cannot be used in conventional vaporizers designed for other agents 6
  • Misfilling an enflurane vaporizer with desflurane at a 1% dial setting would deliver 57.8% desflurane (9.6 MAC), representing a potentially lethal overdose 6
  • Requires specialized heated, pressurized vaporizer due to boiling point of 22.8°C 1

References

6
Research

Consequences of misfilling contemporary vaporizers with desflurane.

Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie, 1993

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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