Final answer:
Desflurane, Isoflurane, and Sevoflurane are inhaled anesthetics widely used today that cause bronchodilation. They are less flammable and safer compared to older agents like diethyl ether. Xenon is also being studied as a potential anesthetic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the inhaled anesthetics that cause bronchodilation, Desflurane, Isoflurane, and Sevoflurane are the most commonly used today. These agents, which are inhalant, halogen-containing compounds, exhibit properties that stimulate bronchodilation through their interactions with the body's autonomic nervous system. Specifically, they align with the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for bronchial dilation, as opposed to the parasympathetic system, which causes bronchoconstriction.
These modern anesthetics are notable for being less flammable than diethyl ether and have a wider margin of safety. When used in surgical settings, they are delivered by an anesthetic machine that vaporizes the liquid anesthetics, mixing them with oxygen and air to be inhaled by the patient, promoting a maintained anesthesia without the need for continuous intravenous anesthetic administration.
Older inhaled anesthetics, such as Halothane, Enflurane, and Methoxyflurane, were also known for their bronchodilatory effects but are less popular in current medical practice due to side effects and safety profile. Researchers are even exploring the use of xenon as an anesthetic because of its unique properties as an inert gas, but it is not yet widely adopted in clinical settings.