Regional cerebral blood flow studies following superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis.

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) studies were performed during the postoperative period on 16 patients with internal carotid occlusions and inaccessible stenoses, and middle cerebral artery occlusion and stenoses, who underwent superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomoses. The intra-arterial xenon method with selective application of the xenon bolus through the internal carotid and the newly established superficial temporal channel has allowed comparison of the flow provided by the pathological input with flow through the new input. The results show that initial rCBF (rCBF1) was globally reduced in all patients to a mean of 28.4 +/- 11.9 ml/100 gm/min at a mean pCO2 of 29.6 +/- 9.55 mm Hg. Patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and minor strokes with minimal residua (RIND) had a mean rCBF1 of 30.4 +/- 11.6 ml/100 gm/min at a mean pCO2 of 30 +/- 10 mm Hg, while patients with completed strokes had a mean rCBF1 of 25.0 +/- 12.4 ml/100 gm/min at a mean pCO2 of 29.1 +/- 8.8 mm Hg. There was no significant difference between these two groups. This finding suggests that in this small group of patients with TIA's and RIND's, the cause of the stroke is probably related more to decreased perfusion than embolus, and may explain why these patients' symptoms improve after STA-MCA anastomosis. The results of this study suggest that in addition to an inaccessible lesion, global or focal decreased rCBF is a necessary criterion in the definition of indications for intracranial revascularization procedures.     

Long-term evaluation of cerebral blood flow,transient ischemic attacks,and stroke after sta-mca anastomosis

A group of 107 consecutive patients with patent extracranial-intracranial bypasses were followed an average of 25.2 months to determine the long-term results on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), and stroke incidence. Average mean rCBF initially rose to 110% at 1 week, then gradually fell to 105% at 6 months, and 85% at 2 years. Maximum increase in cerebral blood flow occurred in patients with middle cerebral artery stenosis or those in the preoperative low flow group, i.e., less than 50 ml/100 gm/min. In the group with TIAs plus mild stroke, the mean rCBF rose to 122% at 1 week, compared to the group with TIAs only who showed a mean increase to 107% at one week. Clinical improvement was excellent or good in 82% of those with TIAs only; in those with TIAs plus mild stroke, 77% had excellent or good relief of TIAs; and in those with mild stroke only, 70% recovered from their neurological deficits. In the 25.2 months of average follow-up, stroke occurred in only 1 patient on the side of the anastomosis, and in 2 patients on the side opposite the anastomosis, giving an average stroke incidence of 1.5% per year.     

Regional cerebral blood flow in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Eighty-five studies of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were performed on 49 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. The changes in rCBF were analyzed under various pathophysiological conditions, The degree of flow abnormalities correlated well with the clinical severity of neurological deficits. All of the patients with diffuse vasospasm of severe grade, to less than half of their control value, showed focal areas of decreased flow below 30 ml/100 gm/min, in addition to a reduction in mean CBF. The relief or disappearance of vasospasm in angiograms was followed by the increase of rCBF in the ischemic focus and mean CBF. Marked reduction in rCBF was found in patients with intracerebral hematoma and ventricular dilatation. Impaired CO2 response and autoregulation were found in patients with severe neurological deficits, a severe degree of vasospasm and marked depression of CBF. In this series direct operation was delayed in patients with impaired vascular reactivity as well as marked decrease of mean CBF below 30 ml/100 gm/min; good clinical results were obtained in thses patients.     

Superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery anastomosis. Intraoperative evaluation by fluorescein angiography and xenon-133 clearance.

Fluorescein angiography and xenon-133 (133Xe) clearance studies were performed during surgery on 15 patients who were undergoing superficial temporal artery (STA) to middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis. Fourteen patients had occlusive disease of the internal carotid artery (ICA), and one patient had severe stenosis of the MCA. Before anastomosis, fluorescein angiography showed slow filling of the MCA branches through collateral channels. Focal areas of impaired microcirculatory filling and washout were seen in the territory of severely sclerotic cortical arteries. The findings of preanastomotic 133Xe clearance studies were variable and a uniform pattern of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes was not defined. In 55% of the patients, rCBF was reduced to 25 ml/100 gm/min or less at one or more detector sites. Fluorescein angiography provided an immediate assessment of anastomotic patency and clearly displayed the distribution of blood entering the epicerebral circulation through the STA. In 67% of patients, multiple MCA cortical branches filled with fluorescein, whereas in 33% filling was restricted to the receptor artery territory. An immediate, substantial (greater than or equal to 15 ml/100 gm/min) increase in rCBF was demonstrated in 73% of patients after anastomosis. The rCBF changes were consistently better in patients with donor and receptor arteries greater than 1 mm in diameter. Redistribution of collateral input acted to increase rCBF in areas distant from the anastomotic site. Some improvement in fluorescein circulation and rCBF also was seen in cortex supplied by sclerotic MCA branches.     

Brain hyperperfusion during cardiac operations. Cerebral blood flow measured in man by intra-arterial injection of xenon 133: evidence suggestive of intraoperative microembolism

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured by intra-arterial injection of xenon 133 in 29 patients during cardiac operations. Marked changes occurred in all patients. A normal and significant correlation with temperature and plasma PCO2 (p less than 0.01) support the reliability of the method. Mean CBF measured between sternotomy and the onset of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) was 38 ml/100 gm . min. The first minute of ECC was associated with a decrease in CBF in nine of 12 patients (p less than 0.02). During steady-state hypothermic ECC (temperature 29 degrees C), CBF increased unexpectedly to 64 ml/100 gm . min (p less than 0.01). Following rewarming steady-state normothermic ECC, mean CBF decreased to 42 ml/100 gm . min with signs of impairment of cerebral autoregulation. Ten and 20 minutes after termination of ECC, mean CBF was 40 and 41 ml/100 gm . min, respectively. Arterial PCO2 was found to be important in regulating CBF. The cerebral autoregulation maintained CBF down to arterial pressures of around 55 mm Hg. Below this level, CBF was significantly correlated with perfusion pressure (p less than 0.01). Multiple small emboli with a hyperemic border zone could cause a brain hyperperfusion, as seen in our patients during bypass. Measurements of CBF during ECC hold promise as a guide toward safer cardiac operations.     

Regional cerebral blood flow and metabolism in reversible ischemia due to vasospasm. Determination by positron emission tomography

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and regional cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (rCMRO2) were measured by positron emission tomography (PET) in four patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and hemiparesis due to cerebral vasospasm. With resolution of the vasospasm, two patients recovered and two remained hemiparetic. Contralateral to the hemiparesis, rCBF was slightly higher in the two patients who eventually recovered (15.0 and 16.2 ml/100 gm/min) than in the two who remained hemiparetic (12.0 and 11.7 ml/100 gm/min). The rCMRO2 measurements showed similar differences, with values of 1.34 and 2.60 ml/100 gm/min in the patients who recovered, and 0.72 and 1.66 ml/100 gm/min in those who did not. These preliminary findings indicate that with PET studies it may be possible to prospectively differentiate patients with neurological deficits due to reversible ischemia from patients with irreversible infarction.     

Hemodynamic evaluation in patients with superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis--stable xenon CT-CBF study and acetazolamide.

Sixteen patients with minor completed stroke in the chronic stage underwent superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis. The acetazolamide-activated regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured 20 minutes after the injection using inhalation of stable xenon and computed tomographic scanning (Xes CT-CBF study) pre- and postoperatively. Eleven patients (Group 1) showed immediate improvement in neurological state within a few days of the operation, while five (Group 2) showed no improvements. Preoperative rCBF in the ischemic areas without infarction was 30.8 +/- 3.0 ml/100 gm/min in Group 1 and 53.0 +/- 5.2 ml/100 gm/min in Group 2. Preoperative vasodilatory capacity with acetazolamide in Group 1 was 5.7 +/- 8.6 and significantly increased to 19.8 +/- 4.9 after surgery. In Group 2, pre- and postoperative vasodilatory capacity was 12.7 +/- 3.1 and 14.9 +/- 2.9, respectively, and there was no significant change. These results suggested that minor stroke patients with moderate decrease of affected side rCBF (less than 40 ml/100 gm/min) and with hemodynamic impairment may have the surgical indication for STA-MCA anastomosis.     

Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions during cardiac surgery

Over a 12-month period, 1,743 patients were retrospectively evaluated for anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions during cardiac surgery. Reactions to protamine, vancomycin, blood, and metocurine were observed in eight patients (0.46%). Base-line to reaction mean arterial pressures decreased from 81 ± 9 mmHg to 50 ± 7 mmHg (mean ± SD; p < 0.001), cardiac output increased from 4.6 ± 0.6 L/min to 6.5 ± 1.2 L/min (p < 0.005), stroke volume increased from 49 ± 11 to 83 ± 22 ml/beat (p < 0.02), and systemic vascular resistance decreased from 1,294 ± 137 to 563 ± 127 dyne/sec/cm⁻⁵ (p < 0.001). Two patients developed pulmonary artery hypertension, while only one patient developed bronchospasm. Initial hypertnsion during anaphylacticlanaphylactoid reactions is due to decreased systemic vascular resistance, not myocardial depression.     

The effect of age on cerebral blood flow during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass

Cerebral blood flow was measured in 20 patients by xenon 133 clearance methodology during nonpulsatile hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass to determine the effect of age on regional cerebral blood flow during these conditions. Measurements of cerebral blood flow at varying perfusion pressures were made in patients arbitrarily divided into two age groups at nearly identical nasopharyngeal temperature, hematocrit value, and carbon dioxide tension and with equal cardiopulmonary bypass flows of 1.6 L/min/m2. The range of mean arterial pressure was 30 to 110 mm Hg for group I (less than or equal to 50 years of age) and 20 to 90 mm Hg for group II (greater than or equal to 65 years of age). There was no significant difference (p = 0.32) between the mean arterial pressure in group I (54 +/- 28 mm Hg) and that in group II (43 +/- 21 mm Hg). The range of cerebral blood flow was 14.8 to 29.2 ml/100 gm/min for group I and 13.8 to 37.5 ml/100 gm/min for group II. There was no significant difference (p = 0.37) between the mean cerebral blood flow in group I (21.5 +/- 4.6 ml/100 gm/min) and group II (24.3 +/- 8.1 ml/100 gm/min). There was a poor correlation between mean arterial pressure and cerebral blood flow in both groups: group I, r = 0.16 (p = 0.67); group II, r = 0.5 (p = 0.12). In 12 patients, a second cerebral blood flow measurements was taken to determine the effect of mean arterial pressure on cerebral blood flow in the individual patient. Changes in mean arterial pressure did not correlate with changes in cerebral blood flow (p less than 0.90). We conclude that age does not alter cerebral blood flow and that cerebral blood flow autoregulation is preserved in elderly patients during nonpulsatile hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.     

Intraoperative hemodynamic measurements of the vertebral artery and common carotid artery

The hemodynamics in the vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) system were investigated in patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI). Vertebral artery (VA) stump pressure and blood flows in the VA and common carotid artery (CCA) were intraoperatively measured in 45 patients who underwent surgical correction of the first segment of the VA (V1) for angiographic tortuosity, kinking, and/or stenosis manifesting as symptomatic VBI. The effects of changes in the systemic arterial blood pressure (SABP) induced by trimethaphan, phenylephrine, and cervical epidural anesthesia were also investigated. The VA stump pressure was 79.3 +/- 13.6 (mean +/- SD) mmHg and the ratio of the VA stump pressure to the SABP was 0.87 +/- 0.08. The baseline values were SABP 90.5 +/- 10.1 mmHg, VA blood flow 53.4 +/- 33.0 ml/min, and CCA blood flow 204.3 +/- 50.3 ml/min. During changes in the SABP, autoregulation of the blood flow in the VA appeared tighter than in the CCA. During cervical epidural anesthesia, blood flows in both the VA and CCA were significantly reduced in response to SABP reduction. This study demonstrated that the VBA system maintains excellent autoregulation with good collateral flows and cervical sympathetic nerve function. However, this autoregulatory capacity may be overwhelmed by unexpected occlusion of the VA due to postural changes associated with tortuosity, kinking, and/or stenosis of the V1 segment.     

Measurement of regional myocardial blood flow. Application of the electrolytic hydrogen clearance method in man

To assess myocardial perfusion intraoperatively and to evaluate the adequacy of coronary bypass grafting, we measured regional myocardial blood flow by the electrolytic hydrogen clearance method in 49 patients. Group I comprised 10 patients with nonischemic heart disease and group II, 39 patients with ischemic heart disease undergoing coronary bypass grafting. Group II was subdivided according to the percent stenosis of the coronary arteries supplying the ventricular regions: group IIa, less than 75% stenosis; group IIb, greater than or equal to 75% stenosis. Mean myocardial blood flows were 154 +/- 7, 145 +/- 5, and 98 +/- 9 ml/min/100 gm in groups I, IIa, and IIb, respectively (p less than 0.01, group IIb versus groups I and IIa). Mean blood flows were 161 +/- 19, 159 +/- 12, 78 +/- 12, and 59 +/- 15 ml/min/100 gm in areas of the left anterior descending coronary artery with less than 50%, 75%, 90%, and 99% stenosis in group II. In areas with a totally occluded left anterior descending coronary artery with collaterals, mean flow was 90 +/- 15 ml/min/100 gm. The mean myocardial blood flows were 40 +/- 7 and 100 +/- 14 ml/min/100 gm in areas with anterior Q wave and non-Q wave infarction, respectively (p less than 0.01). After cardiopulmonary bypass, the mean flow increased from 99 +/- 11 to 150 +/- 7 ml/min/100 gm in the grafted areas in group IIb (p less than 0.01), but it did not change in group I or IIa. The electrolytic hydrogen clearance method provided quantitative evaluation of myocardial perfusion and recovery from hypoperfusion by coronary bypass grafting. This method was especially useful in patients undergoing mammary artery grafting.     

The hemodynamic effects of internal carotid artery stenosis and occlusion

The purpose of this study was to determine in subhuman primates whether hemodynamic mechanisms (as compared with embolic mechanisms) contribute to cerebral ischemia following carotid artery occlusion or stenosis. Following carotid artery occlusion there was loss of cerebral autoregulation: cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured with the xenon-133 technique became passively dependent upon the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) over an MABP range of 30 to 110 mm Hg. By contrast, autoregulation was preserved in normal animals and in animals with a 90% carotid artery stenosis. Regional CBF was measured with carbon-14-labeled iodoantipyrine autoradiography in normotensive baboons, in hypotensive animals, and in hypotensive animals with carotid artery occlusion or stenosis. With carotid artery occlusion and hypotension, reduced levels of local CBF were seen ipsilaterally in the boundary zones between the anterior and middle cerebral arteries with 35% of the area of an anterior section through the hemisphere displaying a CBF value of less than 20 ml/100 gm/min. Comparable values with hypotension were 21% with carotid artery stenosis, 20% with no proximal vascular lesion, and 1% in normotensive animals. These areas of reduced CBF corresponded with areas of boundary-zone ischemia seen with light microscopy. The study suggests that while hemodynamic ischemia develops with carotid artery occlusion, it does not occur with even a 90% carotid artery stenosis or in normal animals.     

Correlation of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with EEG changes during isoflurane anesthesia for carotid endarterectomy: critical rCBF

A prospective evaluation of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) (ipsilateral middle cerebral artery distribution) was determined using a 133Xe clearance technique in 31 ASA P.S. II-III patients anesthetized with isoflurane-50% N2O in O2 for carotid endarterectomy. Each patient was monitored with 16-channel EEG throughout anesthesia and surgery. Critical rCBF was defined as that flow below which EEG signs of ischemia occurred. Critical rCBF (T1/2 method of analysis) was less than 10 ml X 100 g-1 X min-1 (mean +/- SE 5.9 +/- 1.2) in the six patients in whom transient EEG changes occurred at the time of temporary surgical carotid artery occlusion. No EEG changes occurred with occlusion in the other 25 patients; mean (+/- SE) occlusion rCBF in this group was 18.9 +/- 1.3 ml X 100 g-1 X min-1 (P less than 0.001). Preocclusion flows were not significantly different in the two groups. Critical rCBF during isoflurane anesthesia was less than that previously determined during halothane anesthesia (18-20 ml X 100 g-1 X min-1), and is compatible with the effects of isoflurane on CMRO2 and CBF.     

Subclavian-carotid bypass to an “isolated” carotid bifurcation: A retrospective analysis

Most patients with occlusion of the common carotid artery will have concomitant occlusion of the internal and external carotid arteries. A few, however, will maintain antegrade internal carotid flow via retrograde flow from the ipsilateral external carotid artery. These patients remain at risk for hemispheric transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), ischemic stroke, or vertebrobasilar insufficiency/global cerebral ischemia. Historically, diagnosis of this condition has relied on cerebral arteriography and/or blind exploration of the carotid bifurcation. More recently, color-enhanced duplex ultrasonography has been used to facilitate the diagnosis and has allowed focused, delayed arteriographic views of the appropriate carotid bifurcation, making blind exploration unnecessary. From 1985 to 1994, nine patients with TIAs (n=5), completed stroke with minimal residual deficit (n=2), or vertebrobasilar insufficiency (n=2) were found to have occlusion of the common carotid artery with a patent carotid bifurcation on duplex ultrasound images. All nine had this particular anatomic condition confirmed by arteriography and were subsequently treated by subclavian-carotid bypass using autologous reversed saphenous vein (n=5) or synthetic (n=4) grafts. Five of nine patients required concomitant bifurcation endarterectomy. There were no perioperative strokes or TIAs and no operative deaths. Six of eight survivors remain asymptomatic at 1 to 92 months' follow-up (mean 37.1 months). Symptomatic patients with occluded common carotid arteries and patent bifurcations can be treated surgically with low operative morbidity and good long-term results.Presented at the Fifth Annual Winter Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, Breckenridge, Colo., January 29, 1995.     

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency: evaluation by quantitative duplex flow measurements. A preliminary report

With the use of duplex sonography, quantitative vertebral artery flow measurements have been made in 283 patients who had nonlocalizing symptoms of cerebral ischemia suggestive of vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Net vertebral artery flow was calculated by adding flows from the right and left sides. When net vertebral flow was greater than 200 ml/min, 89 of 148 patients (60%) were found to have a significant stenosis (greater than 50% diameter reduction) in one or both internal carotid arteries. Conversely, when net flow was less than 200 ml/min, 101 of 135 patients (75%) had normal or only mildly diseased carotid system (p less than 0.001). When compared with otherwise matched groups of asymptomatic patients or patients with lateralizing hemispheric symptoms, those with nonlocalizing symptoms were much more likely to have net flow less than 200 ml/min. For the nonlocalizing symptom group this was 135 of 283 patients (48%) compared with only 72 of 208 asymptomatic patients (35%, p = 0.005) and 110 of 310 patients with hemispheric symptoms (35%, p = 0.003). Duplex sonography appears to offer a noninvasive technique for the functional hemodynamic evaluation of patients with suspected vertebrobasilar insufficiency, with the capability to distinguish those patients whose symptoms may be related to thromboembolic carotid artery disease, true vertebrobasilar ischemia, or some other cause.     

Altered flow territories after carotid stenting and carotid endarterectomy

BACKGROUND: The hemodynamic effects of carotid angioplasty with stent placement (CAS) on the collateral blood supply and on the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) have not been established. Recently, arterial spin-labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been introduced as the first method to quantify the actual territorial contribution of individual collateral arteries as well as to noninvasively measure rCBF. This study investigated alterations in flow territories and rCBF in patients with symptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and compared them with healthy control subjects. In addition, we investigated whether possible differences in flow territories and rCBF were present between patients undergoing CAS and patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: The study included 24 consecutive patients (15 men and 9 women; age 67+/-9 years) with symptomatic ICA stenosis. CAS was performed in 12 patients, and 12 patients underwent CEA. Flow territory mapping and rCBF measurements were performed with ASL MRI before intervention and 1 month after. The control group consisted of 40 subjects (25 men and 15 women; age 67+/-8 years). RESULTS: The flow territory of the ipsilateral ICA in patients with ICA stenosis was smaller, and the territories of the contralateral ICA and vertebrobasilar arteries were larger compared with control subjects (P<.05). After CAS, rCBF in the ipsilateral hemisphere increased from 60.2+/-16.9 mL/(min.100 g) to 68.9+/-9.2 mL/(min.100 g) (P<.05). Differences in flow territories and rCBF between patients and control subjects disappeared after CAS. Changes in flow territories and rCBF were similar in patients who underwent CAS or CEA. CONCLUSIONS: CAS results in a normalization of the territorial distribution and rCBF, as assessed by ASL MRI. The degree of improvement is similar to that seen after CEA.     

Effects of prostacyclin and indomethacin on experimental delayed cerebral vasospasm

Isolated canine basilar artery contracted by prostaglandin E2, hemoglobin, or serum was relaxed in a dose-dependent manner by the addition of 10(-8)M to 10(-6)M prostacyclin (PGI2), and was scarcely relaxed by 10(-9)M PGI2. In other studies, intravenous administration of PGI2 (25 or 75 ng/kg/min), indomethacin (4 mg/kg), or indomethacin (4 mg/kg) plus PGI2 (25 ng/kg/min) failed to reverse angiographic delayed vasospasm produced in vivo in the canine basilar artery by an intracisternal injection of blood. In addition, no significant increase occurred in mean values of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with any treatments, and mean rCBF difference in dogs treated by PGI2 infusion at 25 ng/kg/min was 2.5 +/- 1.2 ml/100 gm/min and only significantly increased (p less than 0.01). Mean arterial blood pressure was significantly reduced by PGI2 infusion at 25 (p less than 0.05) or 75 ng/kg/min (p less than 0.005).     

Correlation of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow with Ischemic Electroencephalographic Changes during Sevoflurane-Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia for Carotid Endarterectomy

Background: Carotid endarterectomy necessitates temporary unilateral carotid artery occlusion. Critical regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) has been defined as the rCBF below which electroencephalographic (EEG) changes of ischemia occur. This study determined the rCBF50, the rCBF value at which 50% of patients will not demonstrate EEG evidence of cerebral ischemia with carotid cross-clamping.

Methods: Fifty-two patients undergoing elective carotid end-arterectomy were administered 0.6-1.2% (0.3-0.6 minimum alveolar concentration) sevoflurane in 50% nitrous oxide (N2 O). A 16-channel EEG was used for monitoring. The washout curves from intracarotid133 Xenon injections were used to calculate rCBF before and at the time of carotid occlusion by the half-time (t1/2) technique. The quality of the EEG with respect to ischemia detection was assessed by an experienced electroencephalographer.

Results: Ischemic EEG changes developed in 5 of 52 patients within 3 min of carotid occlusion at rCBFs of 7, 8, 11, 11, and 13 ml [center dot] 100 g sup -1 [center dot] min sup -1. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate an rCBF50 of 11.5 +/- 1.4 ml [center dot] 100 g sup -1 [center dot] min sup -1 for sevoflurane. The EEG signal demonstrated the necessary amplitude, frequency, and stability for the accurate detection of cerebral ischemia in all patients within the range of 0.6-1.2% sevoflurane in 50% N2 O.     

Continuous monitoring of regional cerebral blood flow: experimental and clinical validation of a novel thermal diffusion microprobe

OBJECT: Current clinical neuromonitoring techniques lack adequate surveillance of cerebral perfusion. In this article, a novel thermal diffusion (TD) microprobe is evaluated for the continuous and quantitative assessment of intraparenchymal regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). METHODS: To characterize the temporal resolution of this new technique, rCBF measured using the TD microprobe (TD-rCBF) was compared with rCBF levels measured by laser Doppler (LD) flowmetry during standardized variations of CBF in a sheep model. For validation of absolute values, the microprobe was implanted subcortically (20 mm below the level of dura) into 16 brain-injured patients, and TD-rCBF was compared with simultaneous rCBF measurements obtained using stable xenon-enhanced computerized tomography scanning (sXe-rCBF). The two techniques were compared using linear regression analysis as well as the Bland and Altman method. Stable TD-rCBF measurements could be obtained throughout all 3- to 5-hour sheep experiments. During hypercapnia, TD-rCBF increased from 49.3+/-15.8 ml/100 g/min (mean +/- standard deviation) to 119.6+/-47.3 ml/100 g/ min, whereas hypocapnia produced a decline in TD-rCBF from 51.2+/-12.8 ml/100 g/min to 39.3+/-5.6 m/100 g/min. Variations in mean arterial blood pressure revealed an intact autoregulation with pressure limits of approximately 65 mm Hg and approximately 170 mm Hg. After cardiac arrest TD-rCBF declined rapidly to 0 ml/100 g/min. The dynamics of changes in TD-rCBF corresponded well to the dynamics of the LD readings. A comparison of TD-rCBF and sXe-rCBF revealed a good correlation (r = 0.89; p < 0.0001) and a mean difference of 1.1+/-5.2 ml/100 g/min between the two techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The novel TD microprobe provides a sensitive, continuous, and real-time assessment of intraparenchymal rCBF in absolute flow values that are in good agreement with sXe-rCBF measurements. This study provides the basis for the integration of TD-rCBF into multimodal monitoring of patients who are at risk for secondary brain injury.     

Flow quantification of the non-occlusive excimer laser-assisted EC-IC bypass

Summary  Background. For six years, we used the Excimer laser-assisted nonocclusive anastomosis technique for high-flow revascularization of the brain in patients with either nonclippable and noncoilable giant aneurysms of the internal carotid or basilar artery or progressive stroke associated with occlusive disease of the internal carotid artery. The aim of this study is to assess the blood flow capacity of this type of Extra-Intracranial bypass and its haemodynamic behaviour over time.  Methods. Twenty-six patients with a giant aneurysms and 8 patients with occlusive disease of the internal carotid artery were treated with the nonocclusive Excimer laser assisted EC-IC bypass. intra-operatively, direct measurements of flow in the EC-IC bypass were performed in all patients (Transonic Systems, Inc., Ithaca, NY). Postoperatively, follow up measurements of flow were performed with MR angiography in 14 patients with a giant aneurysm after occluding the internal carotid artery, and 7 patients with occlusive carotid disease.  Results. The mean flow in the laser assisted bypasses in the group of patients with a giant aneurysm was 158 ml/min after ligation or balloon oclusion of the ICA. The mean flow of the laser assisted bypass in the group of patients with ICA occlusive disease was 130 ml/min. A comparison with data on flow capacity of conventional EC IC bypasses is made. A demonstrated increase of flow in the bypass during follow up is discussed from a haemodynamic point of view.  Conclusions. The results of this study demonstrate that the flow capacity of the nonoccluding excimer laser assisted bypass is much higher than the capacity of the conventional, more peripherally located conventional EC IC bypass, and should therefore be denoted as High-Flow EC IC bypass. Consequently, this type of bypass can be a powerful and safe tool in new revascularization strategies.