Journal of neurosurgical anesthesiology
-
J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Oct 1999
Effects of morphine on cerebral blood flow autoregulation CO2-reactivity in experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Previous reports show that naloxone improves ischemic deficits and clinical conditions in patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). These observations have raised concern about the routine use of morphine in the treatment of severe headache after SAH. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of morphine on cerebral vasoreactivity after experimental SAH. ⋯ However, the mean slope of the linear regression lines of CBF/MABP was 0.49 +/- 0.32 ml/100g/min/mm Hg in the morphine group, which was significantly lower than 1.24 +/- 0.59 ml/100g/min/mm Hg in the controls (p < 0.05). Also the mean CO2-reactivity was significantly lower, 0.64 +/- 0.53 %/0.1kPa, in the morphine group, compared to 2.36 +/- 0.87 %/0.1kPa in the controls (p < 0.001). The results show that in rats with SAH, morphine partially restores CBF autoregulation but attenuates CO2-reactivity.
-
A decrease of 1-2 degrees C core temperature provides protection against cerebral ischemia. However, shivering usually prevents reduction in core temperature in unanesthetized patients. Therefore, it was tested whether facial and airway heating increases the shivering threshold and enables core cooling in unanesthetized patients. ⋯ Subsequently, in all subjects, within seconds after the application of facial focal warming, motor activity was suppressed almost completely, and within minutes core temperatures significantly decreased. Preliminary studies described here indicate that focal facial warming applied during active whole body cooling to initiate mild hypothermia might minimize the need to pharmacologically suppress involuntary motor activity. Such a procedure might be useful for initiating as soon as possible (such as during emergency transport), cerebral mild hypothermia in order to maximize protection and thus improve outcome in neurologically injured patients (head trauma, stroke).
-
J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Oct 1999
Monitoring brain PO2, PCO2, and pH during graded levels of hypoxemia in rabbits.
Brain ischemia and hypoxia are of concern when they occur following traumatic brain injury because they frequently result in potentially preventable secondary brain damage. In this study, we examined the ability of an implantable catheter (Paratrend 7; Diametrics Medical, St. Paul, MN) to continuously measure brain tissue pH, PCO2, and PO2 during graded levels of hypoxia. ⋯ As expected, there was a good correlation between the changes in pH, PCO2, and PO2 in brain tissue and sagittal sinus blood. Brain tissue PO2 was numerically lower than sagittal sinus blood at all inspired levels of oxygen. These data suggest that the Paratrend 7 may be useful in monitoring brain tissue oxygen tension in patients at risk for regional cerebral ischemia and hypoxia.
-
J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jul 1999
Administration of hypertonic (3%) sodium chloride/acetate in hyponatremic patients with symptomatic vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage.
A retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the effect of hypertonic (3%) saline chloride/acetate on various hemodynamic parameters in mildly hyponatremic patients with symptomatic vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We identified 29 hyponatremic (serum sodium < 135 mEq/L) patients who received hypertonic (3%) sodium chloride/acetate as a continuous infusion. Administration of hypertonic (3%) sodium chloride/acetate resulted in higher central venous pressures and positive fluid balance, with a concomitant increase in serum sodium and chloride concentrations without metabolic acidosis. ⋯ We conclude that hypertonic (3%) sodium chloride/acetate can be administered to patients with mild hyponatremia in the setting of symptomatic vasospasm following SAH without untoward effects. Sample size and limitations of a retrospective analysis preclude conclusions about safety and efficacy of hypertonic (3%) sodium chloride/acetate administration in this patient population. However, our results support justification for a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial of hypertonic (3%) sodium chloride/acetate versus normal saline in patients with symptomatic vasospasm following SAH.
-
J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jul 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffects of clonidine on human middle cerebral artery flow velocity and cerebrovascular CO2 response during sevoflurane anesthesia.
The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of clonidine on human middle cerebral artery flow velocity and the cerebrovascular CO2 response during sevoflurane anesthesia using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. The subjects were nine awake volunteers (group A) and 18 patients receiving oral preanesthetic medication of clonidine, 3-4 mcg/kg, (group C), or placebo (group S). In groups C and S, anesthesia was induced with inhalation of sevoflurane-nitrous oxide. ⋯ The Vmca value of group C was significantly lower than that of group S in hypercapnia, but not in hypocapnia or normocapnia. The CO2 response slope of group C was significantly lower than those of groups A and S. The results indicate that clonidine, administered as an oral preanesthetic medication, reduces Vmca in hypercapnia but not in hypocapnia or normocapnia, and reduces the cerebrovascular CO2 response during sevoflurane anesthesia.