[The effects of isoflurane and enflurane on cerebral hemodynamics and cerebral oxygen consumption in humans].

The effects of isoflurane (1 MAC) and enflurane (1 MAC) on cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygen consumption were studied in 20 male patients without intracranial disease undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (mean age 57 and 59 years respectively). The aim of the study was to investigate whether both agents diminish autoregulation of cerebral blood flow and CO2 reactivity of cerebral blood vessels. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups (10 patients each) receiving either isoflurane 1.15 vol.% or enflurane 1.68 vol.% endexpiratory. Measurements were performed and blood samples were taken in the awake state (I); 15 min after achievement of steady-state conditions with 1.68 vol.% enflurane or 1.5 vol.% isoflurane without blood pressure support (II); during norepinephrine-induced hypertension at a cerebral perfusion pressure of 110 mmHg (III); and during controlled hyperventilation at a PaCO2 of 27 mmHg and normotension (IV). Cerebral blood flow was measured by the argon wash-in technique. Isoflurane and enflurane produced a significant drop in cardiac index and cerebral perfusion pressure and reduced cerebral blood flow significantly by 35% and 39% respectively. Cerebral oxygen consumption was also significantly decreased by 49% (isoflurane) and 50% (enflurane). Induced hypertension with norepinephrine increased cerebral blood flow significantly by 32% (isoflurane) and 26% (enflurane), while hypocapnia reduced cerebral blood flow significantly by 26% (isoflurane) and 29% (enflurane).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)