Anesthesiology
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Spinal cord perfusion pressure may be reduced when sodium nitroprusside is used to control proximal aortic hypertension during thoracic aortic clamping. The effect of esmolol infusion on spinal cord perfusion pressure during thoracic aortic clamping is unknown. This study compares spinal cord perfusion pressure following control of proximal hypertension with either sodium nitroprusside or esmolol during thoracic aortic clamping. ⋯ Esmolol was associated with greater spinal cord perfusion pressure, but adverse hemodynamic effects, when compared with nitroprusside during thoracic aortic cross-clamping. When only surviving dogs (4 control, 5 esmolol, 6 nitroprusside) are considered, the incidence of neurologic deficit was greater in nitroprusside-treated dogs than in either control or esmolol-treated dogs. No difference in outcome was present when all dogs are considered.