Elevation of plasma bromide levels in patients following halothane anesthesia: Time correlation with total halothane dosage.

Plasma bromide concentrations of 25 patients were determined before and after halothane anesthesia. A high correlation (r greater than .70) between exposure to halothane in MAC-hours and plasma bromide levels 24, 48 and 72 hours later was found. Peak bromide levels occurred 48-72 hours after anesthesia in 16 patients (64 per cent), and ranged from 52 mug/ml (0.65 mEq/l) to 180 mug/mo (2.25 mEq/l). Bromide levels remained elevated for prolonged periods (at least 22 days in some patients). Possible sedative or psychoactive effects of increased plasma bromide levels are discussed.