SEVOFLURANE, ISOFLURANE, DESFLURANE: WHICH ONE AND WHEN? │ EP97

Welcome to the Atomic Anesthesia podcast hosted by CRNA professor Dr. Rhea Temmermand and Co-Founder Sachi Lord. On this show, you'll hear clear, clinically grounded discussions designed for nurse anesthesia residents and CRNAs who want to feel more confident in complex pharmacology, physiology, and real-world anesthesia decision-making.

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In this episode:

• Why desflurane needs its own specialized Tec 6 vaporizer (and what its 22.8°C boiling point means for safe delivery)
• The four inhalational agents you need to know cold — sevoflurane, isoflurane, desflurane, nitrous oxide — with MAC values, blood:gas coefficients, and clinical trade-offs
• How coronary steal actually works with isoflurane, and when it matters at the bedside
• The second gas effect explained at the alveolar level: concentrating effect + augmented inflow
• Compound A, carbon monoxide, methionine synthase inhibition — the metabolic pitfalls each agent brings to a case
• Tailoring agent choice for pediatric, geriatric, pregnant, neuro, and cardiac patients

💜 FREE DOWNLOADS: Grab your copy of customized study plans & worksheets.

• GPCR Cheat Sheet — G-protein coupled receptors decoded for anesthesia
• SEE/NCE Study Plan — a structured, week-by-week plan to pass your boards
• Non-Opioid Pharmacology Cheat Sheet — every non-opioid analgesic you need to know, one page

💜 CONNECT: 📥 Email questions, comments or topic suggestions to Dr. Temmermand at [email protected], follow us on social media, and sign up for our newsletter.

💜 PARTNERS: The Incomologists®

https://theincomologists.com/

You work hard caring for others—let us take care of you. Whether you're a W-2 employee or transitioning to a 1099 role, we understand the unique challenges healthcare professionals face, from insurance coverage to financial planning. That's where we step in.

Like you, we are a team of healthcare providers who understand your needs and help you find tailored insurance plans and financial strategies without the hassle or pressure. And we're a partner you can rely on, today and in the future.

We evaluate all available options and resources in the market to protect our clients, so contact us, and we'll get started! — Jake Bevilacqua, CRNA ([email protected])

FREE RESOURCE FOR THIS EPISODE:

SEE/NCE Study Plan — A structured, week-by-week plan to pass your boards. Head to atomicanesthesia.com/freebies/see-nce-study-plan to grab it free.

MORE FREE STUDY RESOURCES:

Non-Opioid Pharmacology Cheat Sheet — Every non-opioid analgesic you need to know, on one page

GPCR Cheat Sheet — G-protein coupled receptors decoded for anesthesia

WANT THE FULL PLATFORM?

Atomic Anesthesia is the all-in-one study platform built specifically for SRNAs — lessons, quizzes, flashcards, and more. Start your free trial at atomicanesthesia.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

💜 PARTNERS: The Incomologists®

https://theincomologists.com/ You work hard caring for others—let us take care of you. Whether you’re a W-2 employee or transitioning to a 1099 role, we understand the unique challenges healthcare professionals face, from insurance coverage to financial planning. That’s where we step in. Like you, we are a team of healthcare providers who understand your needs and help you find tailored insurance plans and financial strategies without the hassle or pressure. And we’re a partner you can rely on, today and in the future. We evaluate all available options and resources in the market to protect our clients, so contact us, and we’ll get started! - Jake Bevilacqua, CRNA ([email protected])