The effects of sodium nitroprusside on cerebral blood flow and cerebral venous blood gases

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Abstract
Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral venous blood gases were studied in 7 patients before, during and after i.v. sodium nitroprusside infusion. The 133Xe intra-arterial injection method was used for the CBF measurements. A dose of sodium nitroprusside (mean 1.0 mg, mean infusion time 20 min), which reduced mean arterial blood pressure by a mean of 17%, resulted in a 13% decrease in CBF (P < 0.05). Measurements obtained 5 and 20 min after termination of the sodium nitroprusside infusion showed no signs of a hyperemic rebound effect. Arterial PCO2 [partial pressure of CO2], metabolic rate of O2, arteriovenous O2 difference and venous PO2 remained unchanged during and after infusion. Evidently, sodium nitroprusside has a minor effect on cerebral hemodynamics, an effect that might be mediated by the sympathetic nervous system.