Published in:
01-08-2014 | Special Article
From the Journal archives: Cyclopropane: induction and recovery with a bang!
Published in: Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie | Issue 8/2014
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Author
Lucas G.H.W.
Citation
Can Anaesth Soc J 1960; 7: 237-56.
Purpose
To review the history of the early development of cyclopropane
Principal findings
Cyclopropane was initially investigated because it was thought to be the toxic element in ethylene. Instead, it turned out to be an excellent anesthetic with very rapid onset and recovery while maintaining stable hemodynamics. Its use was ultimately limited because it was highly explosive. Development required collaboration among laboratory scientists and clinicians in Toronto, Canada, clinicians in Madison, USA, and industry in both countries.
Conclusions
The phenomenal success of cyclopropane in over 40 years of clinical use resulted from a lucky, but incorrect, hypothesis that it was a toxic contaminant.