[Effect of etomidate on cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism in man]

The effects of Etomidate on cerebral blood flow (C.B.F.) and cerebral oxygen consumption (C.02 C.) were studied in 13 patients in a neuroradiology department. Induction of anaesthesia was ensured using a standard dose of 15 mg of Etomidate, followed by a constant rate infusion (2.8 mg/kg/hour). Seven subjects were considered to be normal whilst six were suffering from tumour pathology. Under the influence of Etomidate, C.B.F. in the normal subjects decreased by 34 p. 100 and C.02 C. by 46.7 p. 100. The relationship between C.B.F. and arterial PC01 was studied under the influence of Etomidate: cerebral vasoactivity to C02 was maintained. A special study was made of focal changes in flow in patients with tumour pathology. Under the influence of Etomidate, there were zones of adaptation of flow, indicative of vasoparalysis situated opposite the tumour.