From the journal archives: cyclopropane: induction and recovery with a bang!

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.