Abstract
I agree with Dr. ADAMS (H:1) that previous hyperventilation normally renders any subsequent halothane-induced ICP increase insignificant, but this is not invariable. Patients with arterial PCO2 values in the range 22–25 mmHg may show major increases in ICP when halothane is administered (1). In addition, at the end of a long halothane anaesthesia considerable quantities of the drug are still present in the body and when passive hyperventilation is discontinued, and arterial PCO2 rises towards control values, this residual halothane may produce important increases in ICP in the early post-operative period. The greatest dangers from the use of halothane, however, in patients with space-occupying lesions arise in neuroradiology, and I am aware of several instances where brain impaction has occurred in these circumstances, despite passive hyperventilation.
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McDowall, D.G., Gordon, E. (1975). Chairmen’s Summary. In: Lundberg, N., Pontén, U., Brock, M. (eds) Intracranial Pressure II. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66086-3_70
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