Abstract
This study investigates the effect of azetazolamide on cerebral blood flow, blood pressure, and CO2 elimination.9 newborn piglets were studied. They were anaesthetised ventilated, paralysed, and arterial and venous catheters were inserted. A fontanelle was surgically created and cerebral blood velocity (CBV) in an intracranial artery measured with a 5 MHz computerised Doppler (Vingmed SD 100) system held on the fontanelle.50 mg/kg acetazolamide IV produced a large increase in CBV (median 70%,range 38-100%) with no change in arterial pressure. Within 1 minute of administration of acetazolamide, end-expiratory CO2 started to fall (median fall 45%) and arterial pCO2 started to rise (median rise 1.3 kPa), despite controlled ventilation being unchanged. The vasodilatation response to acetazolamlde was lost if the cerebral circulation was already dilated by a high pCO2.It seems likely that acetazolamlde inhibits the transfer of CO2 from brain tissue to bicarbonate within cerebral blood vessels and so allows local build-up of CO2 around the cerebral vessels smooth muscle, thus producing cerebral vasodilatation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
