Experimental Brain Ischemia: Protection From Irreversible Damage With a Rapid-Acting Barbiturate (Methohexital)

Experimental brain ischemia was produced in rabbits by coupling systemic hypotension and hypoxia. The animals were paralyzed with succinylcholine and ventilated mechanically. Durally implanted electrodes were used to monitor the severity of ischemia. Five minutes of an isoelectric EEG produced irreversible brain damage in most of the rabbits. Four rabbits receiving the rapid-acting barbiturate, methohexital, in the dosage of 5 mg/kg at the onset of the isoelectric EEG showed complete protection from detectable ischemic damage and recovered dramatically. It is suggested that suppression of brain metabolism with barbiturates during cerebral ischemia is worthy of clinical assessment.