Effect of ketanserin on global cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygen metabolism during midazolam-fentanyl or isoflurane anaesthesia.

We have studied the effect of ketanserin on cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral oxygen metabolism (CMRO2) and cerebrovascular carbon dioxide reactivity in 19 adult patients undergoing lumbar disc operation--10 during midazolam-fentanyl anaesthesia (group A) and nine during isoflurane anaesthesia (group B). Measurements were made in each patient whilst awake, during anaesthesia, during anaesthesia with ketanserin and during anaesthesia with ketanserin and hyperventilation. CBF was measured by the i.v. xenon-133 technique. CMRO2 was calculated as the product of CBF and the cerebral arterio-venous oxygen content difference. In the awake state, CBF was 52 and 51 ml/100 g min-1 and CMRO2 3.8 and 3.5 ml/100 g min-1 in groups A and B, respectively. After induction of anaesthesia, CBF decreased 37% in group A and 22% in group B (P < 0.05); CMRO2 decreased 26% in group A and 51% in group B (P < 0.05). Adding ketanserin did not change CBF or CMRO2 in either group. The carbon dioxide reactivity of the cerebral vessels during anaesthesia with ketanserin was 15.4% kPa-1 in group A and 24% kPa-1 in group B. We concluded that ketanserin, in a clinically recommended dose, administered during midazolam-fentanyl or isoflurane anaesthesia had no effect on global CBF, CMRO2 or the relationship between the two factors. Cerebrovascular carbon dioxide reactivity was preserved.