Agents with high blood:gass solubility (isoflurane, halothane) are most affected by minute ventilation.
Agents with low solubility have a more rapid onset/offset due to less blood and tissue uptake and more rapid equilibration of the inspired and alveolar concentration (alveolar partial pressure = brain partial pressure).
Highly soluble agents are rapidly swept away into the blood once they reach the alveoli, which causes the alveolar concentration to fall. In order to replace the agent that leaves the alveoli, the patient requires a higher minute ventilation for delivery.
a) Isoflurane has low blood:gas solubility b) Isoflurane is rapidly eliminated in the alveoli c) Isoflurane is most affected by minute ventilation d) Isoflurane has a rapid onset due to high blood:gas solubility
