Barbiturate resuscitation from focal cerebral ischemia--A review.

Barbiturate therapy has been shown to be of benefit in certain instances for focal cerebral ischemia. This therapy can, however, result in a deleterious outcome. Early institution in combination with revascularization appears to be important for successful barbiturate application. Whether combinations of agents designed to act on different mechanisms in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia can prolong the 'therapeutic window' of barbiturate application is an area for future investigation.