Comparison of haemodynamic changes induced by sevoflurane and halothane in paediatric patientsSevoflurane is used in paediatric anaesthesia 1,2 because of its small blood-gas partition coefficient (0.63), 3 which enables rapid induction of, and rapid emergence from anaesthesia. Paediatric patients have a relatively high minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of volatile anaesthetics that may cause marked haemodynamic depression, especially in neonates and infants. 4-7 In mongrel dogs, sevoflurane decreases cardiac output (CO) and mean blood pressure (mBP) without change in the heart rate (HR). 8 The MAC of sevoflurane in children is much higher (2.49%) 2,9 than that in adults (1.71-2.05%). t~191 However, there are no reports of haemodynamic effects of sevoflurane in paediatric patients receiving high concentrations of sevoflurane. The purpose of this study was to compare the haemodynamic effects of sevoflurane and halothane in paediatric patients by using impedance cardiometry, a noninvasive method to measure CO and stroke volume (SV). MethodsAfter approval by the Ethics Committee of Sapporo Medical University, agreement was obtained from the parents of patients, to whom this study was fully explained. The investigation was carried out in 38 patients (from one to six years old) of ASA class I, who were to undergo CAN J ANAESTH 1995 / 42:7 / pp 603-7