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EFFECT OF ALTHESIN ON CEREBRAL PERFUSION, CEREBRAL METABOLISM AND INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE IN THE ANAESTHETIZED BABOON

The action of Althesin on cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygen uptake and cerebrospinal fluid pressure was studied in four anaesthetized baboons. Cerebral blood flow was measured both by an electromagnetic flowmeter on one carotid artery and by xenon clearance. Althesin, in a dose of 50 μ1/kg, reduc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of anaesthesia : BJA 1972-08, Vol.44 (8), p.751-757
Main Authors: PICKERODT, V.W.A., MCDOWALL, D.G., CORONEOS, N. J, KEANEY, N.P.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The action of Althesin on cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygen uptake and cerebrospinal fluid pressure was studied in four anaesthetized baboons. Cerebral blood flow was measured both by an electromagnetic flowmeter on one carotid artery and by xenon clearance. Althesin, in a dose of 50 μ1/kg, reduced carotid blood flow, the fall beginning soon after drug injection and reaching a maximum of 21 per cent at 90 sec; carotid flow thereafter returned towards control values, being not significantly different from control by four minutes after injection. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure changed in parallel with the carotid blood flow changes. Flow through grey matter, measured by xenon clearance, fell by more than 40 per cent, and grey matter oxygen uptake fell by a similar percentage. The electroencephalogram showed periods of electrical silence, with progressive recovery beginning after 3–4 minutes. Althesin 100 μl/kg produced greater changes in carotid blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid pressure but as appreciable hypotension occurred with this higher dosage, interpretation of the results is more difficult. The authors conclude that Althesin markedly reduces cerebral oxygen uptake, and that the metabolic depression leads to a secondary fall in cerebral blood flow and c.s.f. pressure.
ISSN:0007-0912
1471-6771
DOI:10.1093/bja/44.8.751