The ratio of anesthetic concentrations in the blood and alveolar space when partial pressures in the two compartments are equal. Higher blood-gas partition coefficients of an inhalational anesthetic correspond to higher solubility in the blood.
Solubility in blood (↑higher = slower)
Potency (the dose of a drug required to produce a pharmacologic response of a specified intensity)
Oil/gas partition coefficient (↑higher = more potent)
MAC (↓lower = more potent)
Minimum Alveolar Concentration (of inhaled anesthetic) required to prevent 50% of subjects from moving in response to noxious stimulus.
Potency = 1/MAC
Adverse effects
Postoperative nausea and vomiting
Risk of malignant hyperthermia (except nitrous oxide)
Decrease vascular resistance in brain and lead to an increase in cerebral blood flow → increased ICP