Sevoflurane reduces endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation: role of superoxide anion and endothelin.

Purpose: There are several reports suggesting that volatile anesthetics alter vascular endothelial function. We analyzed the effect of sevoflurane, a fluorinated volatile anesthetic, on nitric oxide (NO)-dependent relaxation, evaluating the role of the endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1).

Methods: The experiments were performed in rat isolated aortic segments aerated in the absence and in the presence of sevoflurane (2%).