Thermoregulatory response thresholds for desflurane, alfentanil, dexmedetomidine, and propofol

The major autonomic thermoregulatory response thresholds in volunteers given desflurane,^[1] alfentanil,^[2] dexmedetomidine,^[3] or propofol^[4]. The y-axis shows the thresholds (triggering core temperatures) for each defense. The x-axis shows the clinically relevant range of concentrations for each anesthetic, sedative, or opioid. Each drug slightly increases the sweating threshold (triggering core temperature) while markedly and synchronously decreasing the vasoconstriction and shivering thresholds. SD bars smaller than the data markers have been deleted.