Brain perfusion part 2: anesthesia and brain perfusion in small animals Hersenperfusie deel 2: anesthesie en hersenperfusie bij kleine huisdieren

Sedatives and anesthetics can influence cerebral metabolism and respiratory and cardiovascular dynamics, which results in changes in cerebral perfusion. This is of major importance when functional brain imaging techniques are used to measure cerebral blood flow or to evaluate neurotransmitter systems, and also during neurosurgery. In the present review, the influences on brain perfusion of different sedatives including opioids and anesthetics commonly used in veterinary medicine are summarized.