Dynamic and static cerebral autoregulation during isoflurane, desflurane, and propofol anesthesia

Although inhalation anesthetic agents are thought to impair cerebral autoregulation more than intravenous agents, there are few controlled studies in humans.

In the first group (n = 24), dynamic autoregulation was assessed from the response of middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (Vmca) to a transient step decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (MABP). The transient hypotension was induced by rapid deflation of thigh cuffs after inflation for 3 min. In the second group (n = 18), static autoregulation was studied by observing Vmca in response to a phenylephrine-induced increase in MABP. All patients were studied during fentanyl (3 micrograms.kg-1.h-1)/nitrous oxide (70%) anesthesia, followed by, in a randomized manner, isoflurane, desflurane, or propofol in a low dose (0.5 MAC or 100 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) and a high dose (1.5 MAC or 200 micrograms.kg-1.min-1). The dynamic rate of regulation (dROR) was assessed from the rate of change in cerebrovascular resistance (MABP/Vmca) with the blood pressure decreases using computer modeling, whereas the static rate of regulation (sROR) was assessed from the change in Vmca with the change in MABP.

Low-dose isoflurane delayed (dROR decreased) but did not reduce the autoregulatory response (sROR intact). Low-dose desflurane decreased both dROR and sROR. During 1.5 MAC isoflurane or desflurane, autoregulation was ablated (both dROR and sROR impaired). Neither dROR nor sROR changed with low- or high-dose propofol.

At 1.5 MAC, isoflurane and desflurane impaired autoregulation whereas propofol (200 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) preserved it.