Computer simulation of cerebrovascular circulation and assessment of intracranial hemodynamics during induction of anesthesia

The induction of general anesthesia is associated with significant hemodynamic changes which, in turn, may cause acute elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) and/or reduction in cerebral blood flow (CBF). Quantitative assessment of cerebrovascular responses arising from multiple mechanical and pharmacological interventions occurring in a short time interval require an elaborate experimental design with a large number of subjects. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effect of various stimuli on the intracranial hemodynamics during induction using a computer model ofthe cerebrovascular circulation. The computer model of intracranial hemodynamics combined with a pharmacological model of a drug permits development of an optimal schedule during various phases of anesthesia. It was demontrated that if the time interval between the administration of thiopental and intubation is more than 2 minutes (e.g. a case of non-depolarizing muscle relaxant), then an additional dose of thiopental may be required to prevent an elevation in ICP during laryngoscopy