An Evaluation of Intravenous Hypertonic Urea in Experimental Cerebral Edema

摘要

Experiments were performed on monkeys to evaluate therapy for alleviating the effects of cerebral hemorrhage and edema. Areas of hemorrhagic necrosis were produced in the brains of monkeys by freezing. Intravenous hypertonic urea was administered 5 hours after injury, and tests were made 1 hour later to determine its effect. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure of the monkeys increased after production of the lesion and decreased after the administration of hypertonic urea. This decrease in pressure was not associated with any chemical evidence of a decrease in edema in the damaged hemisphere but was believed to be the result of dehydration of the undamaged hemisphere. The role of intravenous urea in general neurologic disorders is not well defined, but all the factors of intracranial pathology and physiology should be considered in determining its merits. (Author)