title: Barbiturates in severe head injuries?
abstract: Possible mechanisms for the therapeutic effects of barbituric acid derivatives in severe head injuries have been discussed for half a century. In the following, a survey of the literature, and a discussion of three controlled clinical studies available until now is presented. A proven effect in terms of a beneficial long-term outcome for all injured patients has not been established. On the other hand there might be a subgroup of patients with an intact CO2 reactivity of the brain vessels who may profit from barbiturates administered after head trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Münster, Fed. Rep. of Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moskopp
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ries
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wassmann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nadstawek
mesh_terms: D001463:Barbiturates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000473:pathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D001463:Barbiturates