The combined effects of hypertension, hemodilution, and osmotherapy on the metabolic sequelae of acute experimental cerebral ischemia.

The effects of induced hypertension, hemodilution, and osmotherapy (mannitol) have been assessed singly and in combination on the metabolic sequelae 2 hr after middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in the anesthetized rat. All regimes that included hypertension and monotherapy with mannitol significantly reduced the rise in hemispheric lactate produced by vessel occlusion. No treatment caused increase cerebral edema, and mannitol produced a slight reduction in the hemisphere water content. The significance of the results is discussed.