Etomidate's CNS effects include which of the following?

Etomidate's CNS effects include which of the following?

• A. Increases CMRO2, CBF, and ICP
• B. Decreases CMRO2, CBF, and ICP with CPP remaining stable
• C. Increases CPP
• D. Provides analgesia

Answer: (B)

Etomidate lowers neuronal activity with minimal cardiovascular disturbance, so its CNS effect profile includes a drop in cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2). Because cerebral blood flow is tightly coupled to CMRO2, a fall in metabolism leads to a corresponding fall in cerebral blood flow. This reduction in blood flow helps decrease intracranial pressure. Mean arterial pressure is usually preserved with etomidate, so cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP = MAP − ICP) stays stable despite the drop in ICP. Analgesia is not provided by etomidate, which is a hypnotic agent. So the statement that best fits is a decrease in CMRO2, CBF, and ICP with CPP remaining stable.

Etomidate lowers neuronal activity with minimal cardiovascular disturbance, so its CNS effect profile includes a drop in cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2). Because cerebral blood flow is tightly coupled to CMRO2, a fall in metabolism leads to a corresponding fall in cerebral blood flow. This reduction in blood flow helps decrease intracranial pressure. Mean arterial pressure is usually preserved with etomidate, so cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP = MAP − ICP) stays stable despite the drop in ICP. Analgesia is not provided by etomidate, which is a hypnotic agent. So the statement that best fits is a decrease in CMRO2, CBF, and ICP with CPP remaining stable.