The inhalation of high concentrations of desflurane transiently increases the cardiovascular responses. This study examined the effects of age on the cardiovascular response to desflurane.

Eighty two patients were divided into one of three groups: under 3 years (Group 1), 20-50 years (Group 2), and over 65 years (Group 3). In each group, the inspired concentration of desflurane was increased abruptly to 12.0 vol% 2 minutes after a thiopental injection. The heart rate, blood pressure (BP), cardiac index (CI), End-tidal concentration of desflurane (E_Tdesf), and end-tidal concentration of CO₂ were measured at the baseline and every 30 seconds.

The heart rate, BP, and CI increased transiently in the three groups compared with the baseline. The E_Tdesf increased more rapidly in Groups 1 and 3 than in Group 2. The E_Tdesf to reach the maximal mean arterial pressure (MAP) was highest in Group 3 among three groups. The relative maximal HR to the baseline value was similar in the three groups, but the relative maximal MAP to baseline value was significantly highest in the elderly patient group. The times to reach the maximal HR and BP were shortest in Group 1 among three groups. There were no significant differences in the CI between three groups.

The inhalation of a high concentration of desflurane increases the HR, BP and CI transiently in all age groups. In pediatric patients, HR and BP increases more rapidly than in young adults and elderly patients. The relative maximal MAP to the baseline value is higher in elderly patients.