Anaesthetics

Anaesthesia and the brain

Nuffield Professor of Anaesthetics Peter Kam and his team are pursuing two studies investigating the effects of anaesthesia and surgery on blood flow to the brain.

In the first study, the team was able to show that blood flow to the brain was higher with the propofol technique, indicating that propofol would be the preferred anaesthesia for carotid artery surgery.

The second study focuses on blood flow to the brain during shoulder surgery with preliminary data suggesting that in a small number of patients, blood flow can be reduced. Through this research, the team hopes to reduce the risk of stroke in patients undergoing surgery associated with the serious and debilitating complication of reduced blood flow to the brain.