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Comparison of the analgesic potency of xenon and nitrous oxide in humans evaluated by experimental pain

Petersen-Felix, S. ; Luginbühl, M. ; Schnider, T W. ; Curatolo, M. ; Arendt-Nielsen, L. ; Zbinden, A M.

In: British journal of anaesthesia, 1998, vol. 81, no. 5, p. 742-747

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    Title
    • Comparison of the analgesic potency of xenon and nitrous oxide in humans evaluated by experimental pain
    Author
    • Petersen-Felix, S.. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland.
    • Luginbühl, M.. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland.
    • Schnider, T W.. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland.
    • Curatolo, M.. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland.
    • Arendt-Nielsen, L.. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland.
    • Zbinden, A M.. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland.
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:301738
    Summary
    We have compared the analgesic potency of MAC-equivalent concentrations of xenon (10, 20, 30 and 40%) and nitrous oxide (15, 30, 45 and 60%) in humans using a multimodal experimental pain testing and assessment technique. We tested 12 healthy volunteers in a randomized, single-blind, crossover study. The following experimental pain tests were used: nociceptive reflex to repeated stimuli; pain tolerance to maximal effort tourniquet ischaemia; electrical stimulation; mechanical pressure; and cold. Reaction time was also measured. Xenon and nitrous oxide produced analgesia to ischaemic, electrical and mechanical stimulation, but not to cold pain. There was no difference in MAC-equivalent concentrations of xenon and nitrous oxide. Both increased reaction time in a similar manner. Xenon and nitrous oxide evoked nausea and vomiting in a large number of volunteers