Which anesthetic agent is known to decrease cerebral blood flow?

The anesthetic agent known to decrease cerebral blood flow is propofol. Propofol is a non-barbiturate intravenous anesthetic that induces anesthesia and has several beneficial effects on the central nervous system. One of its notable properties is its ability to reduce cerebral metabolic rate and consequently lower cerebral blood flow. This is particularly advantageous in neurosurgery, where controlling intracranial pressure is crucial.

In contrast, isoflurane and desflurane are inhalational anesthetics that can initially decrease cerebral blood flow, but their effects can vary depending on concentration and other factors. Ketamine primarily produces dissociative anesthesia and can cause an increase in cerebral blood flow due to its unique pharmacological properties, typically leading to an increase in intracranial pressure, which is not desired in many clinical situations. Therefore, propofol stands out as the anesthetic agent specifically known for its consistent effect of decreasing cerebral blood flow.