Anaesthesia overrides CO2 in regulating cerebrospinal fluid flow

A recent study on the effects of commonly used anaesthetic and sedative drugs on cerebrospinal fluid flow and volume has uncovered significant findings regarding their impact on the brain's vital glymphatic system, said the University of Helsinki in a press release on Wednesday.

Researchers at the University of Helsinki, University of Copenhagen, and University of Rochester found that two commonly used anaesthetic regimens are stronger in regulating cerebrospinal fluid flow and cerebral blood volume than the influence of blood carbon dioxide.

The finding may reshape neuroanaesthesia practices in clinical settings, particularly in neurological, brain trauma, and neurosurgical scenarios, where manipulating carbon dioxide levels is routine for regulating cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygenation, and intracranial pressure in intubated patients.

“The findings of this study, which showed that the assessed anaesthetics blunt the vasomotor responses and cerebrospinal fluid flow effects of carbon dioxide, can influence the choice of anaesthetics used in a variety of clinical situations and potentially improve clinical practices. Most importantly, it is vital to know how anaesthetics influence the fluid compartments within the brain. Similar studies are required in humans,” said Associate Professor, MD Tuomas Lilius of the University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital.

Using a rat model, the researchers found that ketamine–dexmedetomidine anaesthesia increased perivascular space size and consequently increased cerebrospinal fluid flow.

This was uninfluenced by supplemental inhaled carbon dioxide, which is a well-known dilator of cerebral blood vessels.

The findings implicate that cerebrospinal fluid flow through the brain could be preserved, maintaining brain clearance through the glymphatic system.

Further, administration of the inhaled anaesthetic isoflurane increased cerebral blood vessel diameters and consequently decreased cerebrospinal fluid flow and volume.

“Should our findings apply to humans, our research could impact the choice of anaesthesia used for neurosurgical or neurological patients. Our research suggests that dexmedetomidine could be used to overcome the influence of blood carbon dioxide level on cerebrospinal fluid flow and blood volume in scenarios where carbon dioxide accumulates. The cerebral effects of high carbon dioxide can be detrimental for patients with elevated intracranial pressure,” said Terhi Lohela, researcher and anaesthesiologist of the University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital.

“The effect of the anaesthetics was so strong that it overcame the influence of carbon dioxide. This is surprising,” said the first author and PhD researcher Daniel Persson.