RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of obesity on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of isoflurane.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-six patients undergoing cholecystectomy were divided into obese group (Group A, BMI > or = 27, n = 13) and normal body weight group (Group N, BMI < or = 24, n = 13) according to body mass index (BMI). All patients were given to the same isoflurane anesthesia. Inspired and end-expired concentrations of isoflurane were monitored and uptake fraction of isoflurane were calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Isoflurane concentrations of vaporizer in Group A [(1.8 +/- 0.3)%] were evidently higher than those in Group N [(1.5 +/- 0.1)%] at all observed points (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Uptake fraction of isoflurane in Group A were higher than those in Group N at observed points (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 or P < 0.001), but there were no differences in the time when isoflurane concentration was lowered to 50% and awake time between the two groups after discontinuing inhaling isoflurane.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Obese patients demand higher inspired concentration and uptake of isoflurane than those in normal weight patients but discharge of isoflurane was influenced by obesity within the observed period of (66 +/- 33) min.</p>