It is supplied as a liquid which as an ethereal and pungent odor. Unlike halothane, it does not need a preservative to prevent spontaneous oxidative combustion. Isoflurane causes less depression of cardiac output than halothane. Heart rate may be unchanged or increased. Arterial blood pressure decreases with increasing depth of anesthesia.
Peripheral vasodilation occurs.
Isoflurane does not sensitize the myocardium to catecholamines. For example, premature ventricular contractions which develop during halothane anesthesia may cease when the animal is switched to isoflurane anesthesia. Tidal volume decreases with increasing depth of anesthesia. A mild to moderate respiratory acidosis will develop during light to medium surgical anesthesia. Severe respiratory depression develops during deep anesthesia.