Cerebral and regional organ perfusion in pigs during xenon anaesthesia

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.