INTRAVENOUS ANESTHETICS

Abstract

Anesthesia is one of the greatest achievements of medicine, revolutionizing surgical practice and providing relief to human suffering. Over the centuries, its evolution has been crucial to the development of modern surgery, allowing complex procedures that were previously impossible due to unbearable pain and the risk of shock. This literature review gathered articles published in the last five years in the PUBMED database with the aim of reviewing and comparing the main intravenous anesthetics used in clinical practice, highlighting their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics, as well as their indications, efficacy, safety and adverse effects. Intravenous anesthetics play a fundamental role in modern anesthesiological practice, offering a wide range of therapeutic options for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. A thorough understanding of their pharmacological properties, as well as their clinical indications and limitations, is essential for choosing the most appropriate anesthetic agent in each situation, ensuring patient safety and well-being.