Effects of mannitol on cerebral circulation after transient complete cerebral ischemia in dogs

The effects of hypertonic mannitol on postischemic cerebral circulation were studied in 20 dogs. Mannitol, 2 g/kg iv, was infused into ten dogs during a 2-h period starting 1.5 h after 6 min of complete cerebral ischemia. One hour postischemia, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was 36% in the control group (ten dogs) and 39% in the mannitol group. In the control group, rCBF increased gradually thereafter to 70% of the preischemic value 10 h postischemia, whereas the restoration of rCBF was suppressed in the mannitol group. During the postischemic period, intracranial pressure (ICP) increased significantly in the control group, but it did not change significantly in the mannitol group. The effects of mannitol on rCBF and ICP in the present study can be explained primarily by decreased body water due to urinary loss. The administration of mannitol does not necessarily improve postischemic cerebral circulation.