Bench-to-bedside review: Molecular pharmacology and clinical use of inert gases in anesthesia and neuroprotection.

Abstract

In the past decade there has been a resurgence of interest in the clinical use of inert gases.

In the present paper we review the use of inert gases as anesthetics and neuroprotectants, with particular attention to the clinical use of xenon.

We discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular pharmacology of xenon and we highlight specific pharmacological targets that may mediate its actions as an anesthetic and neuroprotectant.

We summarize recent in vitro and in vivo studies on the actions of helium and the other inert gases, and discuss their potential to be used as neuroprotective agents.

Full Text

DOI - Critical care (London, England) (DOI)
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Subjects

Authors

Publication date

2010-09-24

Journal

Critical care
Crit Care (1466-609X)

Language

Eng.

Copyright

Critical care (London, England)

Biophysics Section, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK. r.dickinson [at] imperial.ac.uk

Release reference

Crit Care. 2010 ;14(4):229