A membrane separator interface for mass-spectrometric analysis of desflurane, propofol, and fentanyl in blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid

Abstract

An easy-to-operate mass-spectrometric membrane separator interface, which is intended for measuring the concentrations of anesthetic preparations in biological fluids (blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid), is described. Biological fluids are sampled during balanced inhalation (desflurane, fentanyl) anesthesia and total intravenous (desflurane, propofol) anesthesia. In the design of the mass-spectrometer interface, a hydrophobic membrane that separates anesthetic preparations from biological fluids is used: inhalation anesthetic desflurane, hypnotic propofol, and analgetic fentanyl. It was revealed that the membrane does not degrade during multiple (up to 30 cycles) measurements. The possibility of using the interface for measuring the absolute concentrations of desflurane and propofol in blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid when studying the properties and degree of degradation of the blood–brain barrier in the in situ mode.