We implanted closed cranial windows in ten cats in order to observe the response of pial vessel diameter by microscopy using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) by laser Doppler flowmetry during administration of midazolam and reversal with flumazenil. Midazolam was given at 0.8 mg.kg-1 x min-1 for 10 min and maintained at 0.04 mg.kg-1 x min-1 for 50 min (total 10 mg.kg-1). The diameter of arterioles and venules and rCBF showed no significant change. During the last 10 min of midazolam administration, flumazenil, given at 0.1 mg.kg-1 x min-1 for 10 min (total 1 mg.kg-1), caused an increase of MAP and rCBF (P < 0.01) at 5 min after infusion and diameter of larger arterioles (> 50 microns) and venules (50-100 microns) were dilated (P < 0.05). These results indicate that midazolam does not affect the diameter of cerebral arterioles and venules; however, the reversal effects of flumazenil against midazolam are transient vasodilation of larger arterioles accompanied by an elevation of MAP, and an increase in CBF.