Slowing of hepatic blood flow by halothane: angiographic manifestations.

Extreme slowing of hepatic arterial flow occurred in 2 children who had angiographic examination under general anethesia with halothane. The incidence of this striking angiographic "halothane effect" was 32%. It was thought to be caused by a specific increase in hepatic vasomotor tone at the arterial, sinusoidal or venous level. The functional significance of the effect is unclear and its role in the production of hepatic dysfunction or massive hepatic necrosis is conjectural. No untoward effects were noted in our patients.