[Effects of isoflurane on intracranial pressure and cerebral blood flow pressure in coma patients at neurologic intensive care units. Apropos of 12 cases].

Twelve comatose patients treated in a neurological intensive care unit have been given oxygen - Isoflurane gas inhalation to study the effect on Intra Cranial Pressure (I.C.P.) while undergoing tracheal suction. Raised I.C.P. decrease while one per cent Isoflurane is given during suction; but when Isoflurane is introduced especially on higher intracerebral pressure patients (greater than 37 kPa-20 mmHg) cerebral perfusion pressure decrease without change in I.C.P. and this result is correlated to blood pressure fall. Cerebral blood flow has not been measured while Isoflurane was given; other similar studies give different results. Considering these results, Isoflurane must be used carefully and cautiously on suspected elevated I.C.P. patients or patients with hypovolemia or hypertension.