Vaporization of isoflurane by liquid infusion.

We investigated the vaporization of liquid isoflurane when infused directly into a circuit. Pooling of isoflurane occurred within the circuit tubing at infusion rates used during clinical practice when constant gas flows were used. Despite pooling, the concentration of isoflurane was linearly related to infusion rate. Cyclical gas flow, such as that seen in a circle system, increased vaporization so that pooling occurred only at the higher infusion rates used during the first five minutes of totally closed circuit anaesthesia. There were no major differences in pooling or the maximum concentration of isoflurane reached between 26 gauge needle and droplet administration of isoflurane: however the maximum concentration was reached more quickly by droplet administration. We conclude that direct infusion of liquid isoflurane into an anaesthetic circuit will result in complete vaporization during maintenance anaesthesia.