Desflurane has a blood-gas partition coefficient of 0.42 compared to sevoflurane 0.65. What is the CLINICAL implication of this difference?

• A Desflurane has slower induction and emergence than sevoflurane
• B The difference is clinically insignificant as both agents have similar MAC values
• C Lower blood-gas coefficient means more agent must be dissolved to achieve anaesthesia
• D Desflurane has faster equilibration and faster emergence than sevoflurane ✓

Explanation

The blood-gas partition coefficient reflects the solubility of the anaesthetic in blood relative to alveolar gas. A lower coefficient means the agent is LESS soluble in blood, so partial pressure equilibrates faster between alveolar gas and blood. Desflurane (λ = 0.42) equilibrates more rapidly than sevoflurane (λ = 0.65), resulting in faster induction (alveolar partial pressure rises quickly) and faster emergence (agent washes out rapidly). This property is especially beneficial in obese patients and long procedures, where context-sensitive awakening time is critical.

Reference: Morgan & Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology, 6th ed.

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