[Labetalol for the management of hypertensive crises during surgery of cerebral aneurysm; a haemodynamic study (author's transl)].

The haemodynamic effects of Labetalol, an alpha- and beta blocking agent were investigated during neurosurgery in 11 patients with cerebral aneurysm and hypertensive episodes. All operations were performed in neuroleptanalgesia and controlled ventilation (PaCO2 = 30 mmHg). Immediately after intravenous injection of Labetalol there was a significant fall in the following haemodynamic parameters: arterial pressure -20 percent, pulmonary artery pressure -17 per cent, heart work index (right ventricle -32 percent, left ventricle -30 percent) and cardiac effort index -25 percent. Heart rate, cardiac index, stroke volume, total systemic and total pulmonary resistance were not appreciably altered. Labetalol appears to be of value in neurosurgical operations, where an increase in blood pressure, heart rate and myocardial oxygen consumption is undesirable.