Renal effects of sevoflurane during conditions of possible increased risk.

In 32 published reports in surgical patients, the preponderance of evidence from standard clinical measures of renal function (BUN and Cr) indicates the absence of renal toxicity following sevoflurane anesthesia. Studies of surgical patients receiving intermediate-duration sevoflurane with high or low fresh gas flow and long-duration sevoflurane with high fresh gas flow included sensitive measures of renal function and/or injury, which also indicate the absence of renal toxicity following sevoflurane anesthesia. Studies of surgical patients receiving long-duration sevoflurane with low fresh gas flow did not include sensitive measures. Seven studies in volunteers are not directly relevant to clinical practice but do raise the issue of whether it is important to apply sensitive measures of renal function and/or injury such as urine concentrations and/or excretion of NAG, beta 2M, alpha 1M, AAP, alpha GST, pi GST, gamma GTP, albumin, protein, and glucose and Cr clearance. Two studies of volunteers receiving prolonged sevoflurane anesthesia with fresh gas flow no greater than 2 L/min concluded that the potential for adverse renal effects of sevoflurane may exist. The other studies of volunteers did not. In 14 published reports of surgical patients in special conditions, the preponderance of evidence from standard clinical measures of renal function indicates the absence of renal toxicity. Studies with sensitive measures have been reported for some conditions where the kidney may be at increased risk (e.g., sevoflurane-induced hypotension, advanced age, and renal insufficiency and failure), are incomplete in others (e.g., hypertension and ischemic heart disease), and are missing in others (e.g., morbid obesity). Studies with sensitive measures of renal function and/or injury are also missing in an important group where the kidney may not be at increased risk--pediatric patients. Studies of other risk conditions, such as temporary ischemia, hemorrhagic hypotension, nephrotoxic antibiotics, kidney transplantation, and diabetes may provide additional information about the renal effects of sevoflurane.