What substance is associated with a decrease in cerebral blood flow?

What substance is associated with a decrease in cerebral blood flow?

• A. Isoflurane
• B. Desflurane
• C. Ketamine
• D. Propofol

Answer: (D)

Propofol is a short-acting sedative-hypnotic agent commonly used for anesthesia and sedation. One of its pharmacological effects is the decrease in cerebral blood flow. This effect can result from the vasodilatory properties of the drug, which ultimately lead to a reduction in metabolic demands of the brain and a decrease in cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen. In contrast, other agents listed, such as isoflurane and desflurane, can also influence cerebral blood flow, but their primary effects may lead to an increase rather than a decrease. Ketamine is known for its dissociative anesthesia effects and may not significantly decrease cerebral blood flow in the same way. Therefore, propofol stands out as the agent specifically associated with a decrease in cerebral blood flow due to its unique interactions with the brain's vasculature.

Propofol is a short-acting sedative-hypnotic agent commonly used for anesthesia and sedation. One of its pharmacological effects is the decrease in cerebral blood flow. This effect can result from the vasodilatory properties of the drug, which ultimately lead to a reduction in metabolic demands of the brain and a decrease in cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen.

In contrast, other agents listed, such as isoflurane and desflurane, can also influence cerebral blood flow, but their primary effects may lead to an increase rather than a decrease. Ketamine is known for its dissociative anesthesia effects and may not significantly decrease cerebral blood flow in the same way. Therefore, propofol stands out as the agent specifically associated with a decrease in cerebral blood flow due to its unique interactions with the brain's vasculature.