Cerebral Hyperemia in Electrically Induced Epileptic Seizures

Abstract

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured by the xenon Xe 133 clearance method and cerebral metabolism was studied in 11 pentobarbital anesthetized, paralyzed, and ventilated patients during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Cerebral blood flow, oxygen, and glucose uptake doubled during seizures. Jugular venous Pco₂and Po₂both increased about 10 mm Hg during seizures, while the arterial gas tensions remained virtually unchanged. The jugular venous-arterial lactate difference increased an average of 0.08 millimol/liter one minute after ECT. The respiratory quotient (RQ) increased an average of 0.95 to 1.29 during seizures. The data suggest production of fixed acid (lactic acid) within the brain during seizures, even when arterial hypoxemia was avoided.