The vasodilation of cerebral pial vessels induced by isoflurane and sevoflurane appears to be mediated, at least in part, via activation of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ channels.

The systemic administration of dexmedetomidine attenuates the dilation of cerebral vessels induced by isoflurane and sevoflurane in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs. This interaction was not dependent on the clinical (0.5-2.0 micrograms/kg) dose of dexmedetomidine and was not different between isoflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia.

Dexmedetomidine and clonidine constricted spinal vessels in a concentration-dependent manner, but such vasoconstrictions were smaller than those induced by phenylephrine and epinephrine.

The differential effects of the stereoisomers of ropivacaine and bupivacaine on cerebral pial vessels could, at least in part, depend on their chirality.