Acute bronchospasm may lead to a reduced alveolar ventilation and hypoxia, so ensure a sufficient F_IO₂.

Both isoflurane and sevoflurane cause bronchodilation, as does halothane.

Isoflurane may cause upper airway irritability, but it relaxes bronchial smooth muscle. As a result, increasing the concentration of inspired volatile anaesthetic agent helps.

Often this is sufficient, but further intervention is sometimes required.