Sedation and cerebral angiography. The effects of pentazocine and midazolam on arterial carbon dioxide tension

Abstract

A study of the effects of sedation on arterial blood gases in patients undergoing cerebral angiography was performed. Twenty‐one patients received pentazocine (30 mg) and midazolam (5–22.5 mg) and arterial carbon dioxide and oxygen tensions were measured from radial arler.v samples before and during the procedure. A statistically significant rise in arterial carbon dioxide tension was demonstrated. It is suggested that this may cause a rise in intracranial pressure by increasing cerebral blood flow in a group of patients in whom there is a high incidence of raised intracranial pressure. The clinical significance of this increase in arterial carbon dioxide tension is discussed. Copyright © 1985, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved