Effects of desflurane on the central nervous system : discussion

Desflurane causes dose-dependent decreases in cerebrovascular resistance and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRo 2 ), suggesting that desflurane is a cerebral arteriolar dilator with global flow-metabolism coupling similar to halothane and isoflurane. Desflurane is also similar to isoflurane in that cerebrovascular responsivity to carbon dioxide appears to be maintained. In the dog, arterial hypotension to 40 mm Hg induced with 2.4 MAC desflurane resulted in global decreases in cerebral blood flow of 60% and CMRo 2 of 20%