JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW

Journal Article Review

Journal Article Review

“Xenon as an Anesthetic Agent”

By Bryan D. Jordan and Elizabeth Laura Wright

Introduction

Xenon has attracted attention in research due to its positive ecological properties and tendencies of being an anesthetic agent. Xenon is an inert gas that was rarely studied in previous times. It was only after the last decade that scientists devoted time to experiment with Xenon and study its anesthetic tendencies. There are many advantages that Xenon offers in clinical laboratories especially being a catalyst for recovery period and hemodynamic stability in terms of intra-operative procedures. It has also been noted that Xenon increases the perfusion of tissues in human organs. This perfusion holds significance in surgical procedures and improves upon the outcomes after operation. In anesthetic concentrations, Xenon leads to an increase in cerebral perfusion (Trudell, 2000).

Literature Review

Xenon has some anesthetic properties that are nurtured through a combination of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. It finds an extensive use in Europe and the high prices of manufacturing the gas discourages an extensive usage on a grand scale. Since the year 1990, there has been much interest about inert gases as Xenon and their anesthetic properties. Until 1962 xenon and other noble gases were considered chemically inert and incapable of forming any chemical compound. This belief is disproved, and some noble gas stable compounds are synthesized (See Bibliography) (Trudell, 2000).

Purpose and Research Question

The purpose of the study is to discuss the anesthetic properties of Xenon and establish an understanding whether Xenon can act as an anesthetic agent or not. The research questions may include:

What are the properties of Xenon that resemble anesthetic agents?

What are the characteristics of Xenon that makes us say that it is an anesthetic agent?

How can the use of Xenon as an anesthetic agent differ from current ...