BackgroundNitrous oxide limits intraoperative hypothermia because the vasoconstriction threshold with nitrous oxide is higher than with equi–minimum alveolar concentrations of sevoflurane or isoflurane, presumably because of its stimulating actions on the sympathetic nervous system. Xenon, in contrast, does not cause sympathetic activation. Therefore, the authors tested the hypothesis that the vasoconstriction threshold during xenon–isoflurane anesthesia is less than during nitrous oxide–isoflurane anesthesia or isoflurane alone.MethodsFifteen patients each were randomly assigned to one of three 1‐minimum alveolar concentration anesthetic regimens: (1) xenon, 43% (0.6 minimum alveolar concentration) and isoflurane, 0.5% (0.4 minimum alveolar concentration); (2) nitrous oxide, 63% (0.6 minimum alveolar concentration) and isoflurane 0.5%; or (3) isoflurane, 1.2%. Ambient temperature was maintained near 23°C and the patients were not actively warmed. Thermoregulatory vasoconstriction was evaluated using forearm‐minus‐fingertip skin temperature gradients. A gradient exceeding 0°C indicated significant vasoconstriction. The core‐temperature threshold that would have been observed if skin had been maintained at 33°C was calculated from mean skin and distal esophageal temperatures at the time of vasoconstriction.ResultsThe patients’ demographic variables, preinduction core temperatures, ambient operating room temperatures, and fluid balance were comparable among the three groups. Heart rates were significantly less during xenon anesthesia than with nitrous oxide. The calculated vasoconstriction threshold was lowest with xenon (34.6 ± 0.8°C, mean ± SD), intermediate with isoflurane alone (35.1 ± 0.6°C), and highest with nitrous oxide (35.7 ± 0.6°C). Each of the thresholds differed significantly.ConclusionsXenon inhibits thermoregulatory control more than isoflurane, whereas nitrous oxide is the least effective in this respect.