Experimental air embolism of the brain: an analysis of the technique in the rat

Journal Article · · Stroke; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1161/01.STR.13.6.847· OSTI ID:6328319

Furlow, Jr, T W

Air embolization of the brain produces cerebral ischemia that can be focal and reversible. The method has previously been hampered by (1) lack of selective arterial injection of the embolus, (2) disruption of local hemodynamic relationships by ligation of major arterial channels, (3) excessive volume of the air embolus, and (4) uncontrolled bubble size. To minimize these factors, a technique was devised in the rat whereby a fine catheter was advanced through a branch of the external carotid artery into the internal carotid artery. Air emboli of 5 microliters were found to arrest blood flow and to attenuate electrical activity in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere for seconds to a couple of minutes. The duration of ischemia varied from region to region, and it tended to be prolonged by arterial hypotension. In the nonembolized hemisphere, CBF never declined abruptly (indicating no cross-over of air) although electrical activity was suppressed in two-thirds of the animals.

• Research Organization: Department of Neurology, University of Alabama in Birmingham
• OSTI ID: 6328319
• Journal Information: Stroke; (United States), Journal Name: Stroke; (United States) Vol. 13:6; ISSN SJCCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550601* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
550901 -- Pathology-- Tracer Techniques
551001 -- Physiological Systems-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANIMALS
ARTERIES
BIOELECTRICITY
BLOOD FLOW
BLOOD VESSELS
BODY
BRAIN
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CAROTID ARTERIES
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DISEASES
ELECTRICITY
EMBOLI
ISCHEMIA
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
PATHOLOGY
PHYSIOLOGY
RATS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RODENTS
VASCULAR DISEASES
VERTEBRATES