Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 9, 239-245, Copyright © 1962 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressures during Halothane Anaesthesia

¹ Department of Anesthesiology of the Bronx Municipal Hospital Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York 61, N.Y., U.S.A.

Changes in cerebrospinal fluid pressure, venous pressure, and arterial pressure induced by different concentrations of halothane were measured in ten elderly patients prior to the beginning of surgery. Cerebrospinal fluid and venous pressures were recorded by a water manometer and arterial pressure with a sphygmomanometer. Tidal volume, pH, and pCO₂ were determined intermittently in order to prevent changes in respiratory physiology. The patients were intubated with a cuffed endotracheal tube and given to 2 vol. per cent halothane, for periods of 15 minutes or longer, using a non-rebreathing system and a Fluotec vaporizer.

Two types of increase in cerebrospinal fluid pressure were noted. During endotracheal intubation, cerebrospinal fluid pressure rose sharply while venous pressure lagged behind and arterial pressure changed in a variable manner. During the period of undisturbed halothane anaesthesia, elevations of cerebrospinal fluid pressure corresponded with increases in the venous pressure, while arterial pressure decreased concomitantly. The magnitude of these changes was proportional to the concentration of halothane.

The implications of these findings on the administration of halothane anaesthesia during neurosurgical operations are discussed.