Effects of d tubocurarine on intracranial pressure and thalamic electrical impedance

Abstract

Immediate effects of intravenous injection of d tubocurarine on intracranial pressure and thalamic electrical impedance were studied in neurosurgical patients. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded simultaneously. After an initial dose of d tubocurarine (0.6 ± 0.1 mg/kg), average thalamic baseline impedance decreased by 1.3% for 1 to 2 min and its pulse amplitude increased by 50%. Simultaneously, average ventricular CSF pressure rose from 10.1 to 18.2 mm Hg. After a second dose (0.2 ± 0.1 mg/kg) the cerebral changes were smaller. d Tubocurarine also decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate. The causes of the changes in thalamic impedance and in intracranial pressure are not known, but they probably resulted from increased pulsatile blood flow in the brain.