Effects of halothane on regional cerebral blood flow

Regional cerebral blood flow was measured in 6 patients suffering from chronic ischemic brain lesion. The intracarotid Xe 133 injection method was used, with a gammacamera as detector. A first measurement was performed under nitrous oxide anesthesia with small doses of fentanyl and artificial ventilation under normocapnic conditions. Halothane 1% was then added for 30 min before the second measurement. The influences of mean arterial pressure, PaCO 2 and anesthetic agents are discussed. In all these cases with ischemic cerebral disease, halothane 1% anesthesia, under normocapnic conditions, produced a 'steal phenomenon' in the diseased region.SCOPUS: ar.j