Background. Endovascular techniques for treatment of intracranial aneurysms are increasingly commonly applied. In general, the procedures are short, require general anaesthesia and complete immobilisation of patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness of general anaesthesia with propofol and laryngeal mask airway for endovascular management of intracranial aneurysms based on analysis of haemodynamic stability. Methods. The study encompassed 26 patients undergoing endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), bispectral index (BIS), end-tidal CO 2 (E T CO 2 ) and haemoglobin saturation with oxygen (SpO 2 ) were determined at eight measurement points: T 1 -before anaesthesia induction, T 2 -after induction, T 3 -after LMA insertion, T 4 -during arteriography, T 5 -during "coiling" , T 6 -at completion of propofol infusion, T 7 -before LMA removal, T 8 -after LMA removal. Results. MAP and HR were found significantly reduced between T 2 and T 1 . To maintain BIS within the range of 40-60, the following propofol infusion rates (in mg kg b.w. -1 h -1 ) were required: T 2 -4.5 ± 0.3; T 3 -4.6 ± 0.7; T 4 -4.5 ± 0.8 and T 5 -4.4 ± 0.6. E T CO 2 and SpO 2 were not demonstrated to be changed. The mean duration of anaesthesia and of recovery was 64.3 ± 21.8 and 8.9 ± 4.8 min, respectively. Conclusions. General anaesthesia with propofol and LMA ensures suitable conditions for endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

Background: In nearly all cases of general anaesthesia with a volatile agent, the anaesthetic concentration has to be increased. Since the anaesthetic affects both the factors determining intracranial homeostasis and the systemic circulation, it is crucial that cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is protected. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of gradually increased concentrations of desflurane on the cerebral and systemic circulations based on CPP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), intracranial pressure (ICP) and their correlations. Methods: The study was carried out on 25 rabbits of the same gender (male) randomly assigned to two groups: control (n = 10) and group I (n = 15). Over three 15-minute periods, the animals were exposed to increase concentrations of desflurane so as to achieve 1/3, 2/3 and 1 MAC Minimal Alveolar Concentration (3, 6, 9 vol%) of the effective end-tidal concentration of desflurane (Et) at the end of each period, respectively. Conclusions: A decrease in CPP induced by desflurane was associated with a decrease in MAP but not an increase in ICP. The depressive effect of desflurane on the cerebral and systemic circulations is a consequence of its effector site concentration.