Changes in brain surface oxygen tension during profound hypotension induced with sodium nitroprusside or adenosine in...

Brain surface oxygen tensions were measured, in sheep (n = 8), with a seven-barrelled mini-electrode polarized by sweep potentials. Mean arterial pressure was reduced to 30 mm Hg with either sodium nitroprusside or adenosine. At this value of mean arterial pressure, oxygen supply to cerebral tissue was impaired. There was no significant difference between the two agents in the degree to which the oxygen supply was reduced.