title: Pharmacologic protection against ischemic brain damage.
abstract: Pharmacologic protection should be used cautiously. The author reviews its rationale, use, and recommendations in three clinical conditions associated with ischemic brain damage: stroke, cardiac arrest, and head trauma.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002415:Cats; D002536:Cerebral Arteries; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007427:Intracranial Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D010215:Papio; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012453:Saimiri; D013874:Thiopental / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001463:Barbiturates; D013874:Thiopental; D010634:Phenobarbital