Isoflurane hepatotoxicity: a case report and review of the literature

Am J Gastroenterol. 1996 Nov;91(11):2406-9.

Abstract

Isoflurane, hailed as the anesthetic of the 1980s, is less hepatotoxic than its predecessors, halothane and enflurane. Since its release by the Food and Drug Administration in 1979, controversy has existed about the extent to which isoflurane is capable of producing hepatotoxic effects. In this report, we provide direct evidence that isoflurane can induce liver injury and should therefore be considered as a potential cause of serum transaminase elevations in any patient who is exposed to this anesthetic.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Anesthetics, Inhalation / adverse effects*
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Biopsy
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / diagnosis
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / epidemiology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Isoflurane / adverse effects*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Inhalation
  • Isoflurane
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase