The Effects of Changes in Cardiac Output and Distribution on the Rate of Cerebral Anesthetic Equilibration Calculations Using a Mathematical Model

Abstract

The effects of alterations in cardiac output produced by differential distribution of tissue blood flow on the rates of rise of arterial and cerebral anesthetic partial pressures have been predicted using a mathematic model. Calculations show that circulatory changes associated with circulatory shock and excitement increase and decrease these rates of rise, respectively. The effects of changes in distribution of tissue blood flow are greatest with the more soluble anesthetics. The actual effects are probably much greater than predicted from models which assume that changes in cardiac output are produced by proportionately equal changes in blood flow to all tissues.