Effects of Sevoflurane, Propofol, and Adjunct Nitrous Oxide on Regional Cerebral Blood Flow, Oxygen Consumption, and Blood Volume in Humans

Abstract

Propofol reduced rCBF and rCMRO2 comparably. Sevoflurane reduced rCBF less than propofol but rCMRO2 to an extent similar to propofol. These reductions in flow and metabolism were partly attenuated by adjunct N2O. S+N especially reduced the oxygen extraction fraction, suggesting disturbed flow-activity coupling in humans at a moderate depth of anesthesia.