[Deep hypotension induced by sodium nitroprusside in neurosurgery. II.--Cerebral hemodynamic effects and metabolic rate of oxygen (author's transl)].

The cerebral hemodynamic effects of sodium nitroprusside (S. N.) have been the object of animal studies mainly. During the only human study performed, the drop in mean arterial pressure (MAP) is limited to 67 mm Hg. The study of the evolution of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in cases of more severe hypotension (MAP less than 45 mm Hg) seems of some interest. The study was composed of the measurement of the CBF using Xenon 133 and the calculation of cerebral vascular resistances (CVR) as well as cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2). Eleven patients with an average age of 37 years underwent surgery for cerebral aneurism 10 to 15 days after the inaugural hemorrhagic accident, under narconeuroleptanalgesia and stable ventilatory conditions. They are divided into 2 groups: Group I, 9 patients with normal levels of consciousness; Group II, 2 patients either agitated or obnubilated. The study is composed of 3 successive measures: (1) (T0) during stable anesthesia just prior to hypotension; (2) (T1) after 5 minutes of hypotension (MAP = 40 +/- 7 MM Hg); (3) (T2) 20 minutes after having stopped S. N. infusion. For the 9 patients in Group I, CBF remains unchanged at T1, the CVR decreases (p less than 0.001) and CMRO2 decreases (p less than 0.05). At T2 all of these parameters return to T0 values. The postoperative clinical evolution is favorable and uncomplicated. For the 2 patients in Group II the CBF, initially higher, falls from 20 to 30 p. cent at T1 with a drastic reduction in CMRO2. Despite the improvement of these parameters at T2, a prolonged postoperative coma is observed. This study suggests that CBF and CMRO2 are important parameters to monitor during controlled severe hypotension. Decrease in MAP must be less than 50 p. cent of control value and time-limited.