Little is known about the haemodynamic effects of inhaled xenon on regional
organ perfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 79
% xenon ventilation on organ perfusion in pigs. We investigated 10 pigs, wh
ich were randomly allocated to receive either xenon 79% or total intravenou
s anaesthesia (TIVA)/oxygen anaesthesia. Microspheres were used to determin
e organ perfusion. The following regions of interest were investigated: cer
ebral cortex, medulla oblongata, brainstem, cerebellum, liver, kidney, smal
l intestine, colon, muscle, skin and heart. The results demonstrated a sign
ificant increase in regional perfusion in the brainstem (+63%), cerebral co
rtex (+38%), medulla oblongata (+35%) and cerebellum (+34%). All other orga
ns showed no significant change in regional perfusion. We conclude that xen
on should be used with caution in clinical situations associated with patho
logical increases in intracranial pressure, e.g. neurosurgical procedures,
head injury, cerebral mass lesions or stroke.