The effects of sodium nitroprusside and trimethaphan camsylate on cerebral blood flow in rhesus monkeys.

Hemispheric cerebral blood flow was measured in the rhesus monkey before and after infusion of the hypotensive agents sodium nitroprusside and trimethaphan camsylate. The intracarotid injections of 133Xe was utilized, and flow was calculated by the "flow initial" technique. Cerebral blood flow did not change significantly with the administration of trimethaphan camsylate. However, with a small reduction in blood pressure (10.6%) during the administration of sodium nitroprusside, the cerebral blood flow fell significantly (15.4%).