Final answer:
When sevoflurane is not available for ischemic preconditioning, desflurane and isoflurane are preferred alternatives due to their safety and effective anesthetic properties. They are both less flammable than older anesthetics and are typically used with an anesthesia machine for precise delivery.
Step-by-step explanation:
If sevoflurane is not an option for ischemic preconditioning, other volatiles that may be considered include desflurane and isoflurane. Both of these are modern inhalant anesthetics that are less flammable and possess a lower risk of undesirable side effects when compared to older anesthetics such as diethyl ether.
While other older volatiles like halothane, enflurane, and methoxyflurane were previously used, they have become less favorable due to various side effects and safety concerns, such as the increased rate of miscarriages observed among female operating room workers exposed to halothane. Moreover, efforts are ongoing in the exploration of using xenon as an anesthetic. However, for the time being, desflurane and isoflurane are preferred alternatives to sevoflurane for achieving the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning.
All modern inhalant anesthetics are delivered using an anesthesia machine, which allows for precise composition of an oxygen and anesthetic mixture, ensuring safe administration and effective anesthetic levels.