Cerebral Carbohydrate Metabolism in Man During Halothane Anesthesia

Abstract

Cerebral blood flow and carbohydrate utilization were measured in healthy adult male volunteers during anesthesia produced by 1.2% halothane in oxygen during hypocarbia, normocarbia, and mild hypercarbia. Cerebral oxygen consumption was unaffected by the rate of cerebral blood flow but was diminished by approximately 15% in the presence of a 1[degree] C. fall in body temperature. Metabolic alterations induced by 1.2% halothane were slight or absent. Increased anaerobic metabolism was not demonstrated when cerebral blood flow was diminished during hypocarbia. Slight alterations in the pathways of glucose and oxygen metabolism were shown to be produced by changes in PaCO2.