[Effect of inhalation anesthetics on the myocardium].

A review of the myocardial effects of the volatile anesthetics halothane (HAL), enflurane (ENF) and isoflurane (ISO) is presented. In the first part the effects on cardiac rhythm, myocardial contractility and oxygen supply are discussed. In the second part the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia during anesthesia and surgery is summarized. Finally the role of inhalation anesthetics in inducing or preventing myocardial ischemia is considered, with special regard to the "coronary steal" phenomenon.