Effects of sevoflurane and isoflurane on coagulation system : a comparative study

Abstract EN

Background / Aim : Several studies of the effects of inhalational anesthetic agents on ate let function have been reported since Ueda demonstrated in 1971 that clinical concentrations of halothane inhibited ADP-induced ate let aggregation.

Sevoflurane in particular has recently been the subject of several investigations; however, the results remain contradictory.

Platelets play an important role in hemostasis during and after surgery.

Among multiple factors, interactions of drugs used in anesthesia with late let function have been implicated to aggravate the risk of perioperative bleeding.

In this study, the aim was to assess the effects of sevoflurane and isoflurane on the coagulation system.

Patients & Methods : Patients were randomly divided into two groups (30 patients each): isoflurane group (group I) and sevoflurane group (group S) according to the inhalational anesthetic used for maintenance of anesthesia Blood samples were withdrawn before induction hour after induction and 1 hour postoperatively to measure red blood cells count, hemoglobin level, platelets count, bleeding time, thrombin time and activity, activated atrial thromboastin time, H, body temperature and late let aggregation tests.

Results The results of this study showed that red blood cells count hemoglobin level, blood H values and vital signs measurements were insignificantly changed during the predetermined times of measurements.

Sevoflurane had a significant inhibitory effect on intraoperative late let aggregation.

Also, it had a residual surfside effect 1 hour postoperatively, whereas it had no significant effect on other coagulation parameters including platelet count, bleeding time, thrombin time and activity and activated atrial thromboplastic time.

As regards isoflurane, it had no significant effect neither on platelet aggregation nor other coagulation parameters during the intraoperative and postoperative periods.

Conclusion : the conclusion of this study is that sevoflurane has a significant inhibitory effect on intraoperative platelet aggregation, whereas isoflurane has no effect.

There is also a residual surfside effect 1 hour postoperatively with sevoflurane Therefore, in patients at increased risk intraoperative and postoperative bleeding ; isoflurane may be referred as an inhalational agent for maintenance of general anesthesia.