A preliminary comparison of the effects of halothane and isoflurane on nasal mucosal blood flow.

The differing effects of halothane and isoflurane on nasal mucosal blood-flow was investigated by means of laser-doppler flowmetry in a total of fourteen patients who received one of these inhalational agents during anaesthesia. A trend towards lower nasal flux was seen in the halothane group but, due to insufficient numbers, significance could not be demonstrated. These changes in flux appeared not to be related to the falls in perfusion pressure which were seen in both groups of patients and were thought to be due to locally vasoactive effects.