Increased airway resistance during xenon anaesthesia in pigs is attributed to physical properties of the gas

Background. In this study we investigated the effects of the physical properties of xenon on respiratory mechanisms in pigs. Methods. With institutional approval, 10 female pigs (mean 25.2 (SD 2.5) kg) were anaesthetized with thiopental, remifentanil, and pancuronium. Gas flow and pressure were recorded continuously at the proximal end of the tracheal tube during constant flow ventilation for control, with 100% oxygen (control), followed by 1.5% isoflurane in 70/30% nitrogen/oxygen, 1.0% isoflurane in 70/30% nitrous oxide/oxygen, and 70/30% xenon/oxygen in random order. Compliance (C) and resistance (R) were calculated using a single compartment model. Resistance was corrected for gas viscosities eta and also for densities rho and viscosities eta as (rho*eta)(1/2) to compare assumptions of laminar and mixed flow in the airways. Results. With constant flow ventilation, xenon increases inspiratory pressure compared with other gas mixtures. There were no significant differences in resistance, corrected for laminar or mixed flow, between the gas mixtures. Xenon anaesthesia did not affect compliance. Conclusions. The increase in airway pressure observed with xenon anaesthesia is attributed completely to its higher density and viscosity. Therefore, determination of airway resistance must take into account the physical properties of the gas. Xenon does not exert any major effect on airway diameter.