The Effects of Ether, Halothane, and Forane on Apneic Thresholds in Man

Constant positive airway pressure reduces hypoventilation induced by inhalation anesthesia

“….assisted ventilation is of limited value in lowering Paco 2 . To lower Paco 2 significantly, ventilation must be controlled.Q ( p. 36) [39]. Indeed, results from our previous work [16,17] and the current study suggest that brestingQ Paco 2 at a given level of inhalation anesthesia is influenced significantly by mechanical properties of the respiratory system.…”

Effects of pain and arousal on the control of breathing

“…Hyperventilation readily causes apnea in the anesthetized patient, in contrast with the maintenance of ventilation in the awake subject [50]. Even sedation with nitrous oxide (75% inspired, although the administration of the nitrous oxide was not in steady-state and the brain concentration may have been less) resulted in loss of the wakefulness drive and apnea upon termination of voluntary hyperventilation [51].…”

Chemical regulation of ventilation during isoflurane sedation and anaesthesia in humans

“…(2) General anaesthetic agents that depress ventilation have two fundamental effects on the chemical regulation of ventilation. First, they cause ventilation to be totally dependent upon chemical stimulationsince reduction of stimuli below a critical threshold with passive hyperventilation results in apnoea.…”