[The effect of etomidate on CSFP (author's transl)]

The effect of etomidate on cerebro-spinal fluid pressure (CSFP) was investigated in 25 patients. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (BPM) and blood gases were measured additionally. Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) was calculated from the difference MAP minus CSFP. Etomidate lowered CSFP (p less than 0,01 paired Student t-test). Ketamine-induced increase of CSFP (p less than 0,01) was normalized by etomidate. Premedication with etomidate delayed ketamine-induced increase of CSFP, which dropped to normal after a second dose of etomidate. The effect in reducing CSFP of etomidate was seen despite elevation of pCO2(p less than 0,01) in all patients breathing spontaneously.