Spinal cord blood flow change by intravenous midazolam during isoflurane anesthesia

We investigated the effects of IV midazolam on spinal cord blood flow in 32 cats anesthetized with isoflurane. Cats underwent laminectomy, and the lumbar spinal cord was exposed. A platinum electrode was inserted stereotaxically into the spinal cord to a depth of 1 mm-2 mm lateral to midline at L2. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and spinal cord blood flow (using the hydrogen clearance method) were measured before and at 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after an IV bolus of midazolam (0, 1, 2, or 4 mg/kg in saline 5 mL; n = 8 cats per dose). Arterial blood pressure was not affected by 0 or 1 mg/kg of midazolam but was decreased for 30 min by 2 or 4 mg/kg of midazolam. Heart rate did not change. Spinal cord blood flow was increased for 90 min by midazolam 1 mg/kg and for 15 min by midazolam 2 mg/kg but was not changed by midazolam 4 mg/kg. In conclusion, 1 mg/kg of midazolam increased feline spinal cord blood flow without changing arterial blood pressure. In contrast, a larger dose of midazolam (4 mg/kg) did not change spinal cord blood flow but substantially decreased arterial blood pressure during isoflurane anesthesia.