[Xenon--the ideal anaesthetic agent?].

The noble gas xenon, besides its anaesthetic and analgesic properties, shows many characteristics of an ideal anaesthetic agent. However, due to high production costs, its application is limited In daily clinical routine. Recent studies suggested not only outstanding haemodynamic stability and rapid emergence from anaesthesia, but also xenon's capacity to mediate protection against ischaemic damage in various organs and tissues. Since xenon is devoid of toxicity and relevant side effects, it could be beneficial at least in a subset of patients at high risk, and xenon therefore may become a reasonable alternative in this patient population.