[Effect of enflurane (ethrane) on intracranial pressure in comparison with halothane (author's transl)]

Enflurane (Ethrane) was given before operation to 13 neurosurgical patients. 11 of them received halothane for comparison of effects on intracranial pressure (ventricular catheter), blood pressure and central venous pressure during controlled ventilation. Neuroleptanalgesia was used as basic anaesthesia. The results showed that enflurane, when initial pressure levels were between 0-20 mm Hg, had better properties with regard to intracranial pressure than halothane. The intracranial pressure of 6 patients under enflurane rose. Of the remaining patients pressure did not change or even fell. Under halothane, given in a comparable doses, there was always a marked increase of intracranial pressure. If intracranial pressure of one patient under enflurane rose, then the increase by halothane always was more pronounced. The results from 1 patient had to be excluded because of spontaneously occurring plateau waves. Blood pressure was lowered by both agents while central venous pressure remained unchanged.