Dynamic cerebral autoregulation is preserved during orthostasis and intrathoracic pressure regulation in healthy subjects: A pilot study.

Resistance breathing may restore cardiac output (CO) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) during hypovolemia. We assessed CBF and cerebral autoregulation (CA) during tilt, resistance breathing, and paced breathing in 10 healthy subjects. Blood velocities in the internal carotid artery (ICA), middle cerebral arteries (MCA, four subjects), and aorta were measured by Doppler ultrasound in 30° and 60° semi-recumbent positions. ICA blood flow and CO were calculated. Arterial blood pressure (ABP, Finometer), and end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) were recorded. ICA blood flow response was assessed by mixed-models regression analysis. The synchronization index (SI) for the variable pairs ABP-ICA blood velocity, ABP-MCA velocities in 0.005-0.08 Hz frequency interval was calculated as a measure of CA. Passive tilting from 30° to 60° resulted in 12% decrease in CO (p = 0.001); ICA blood flow tended to fall (p = 0.04); Resistance breathing restored CO and ICA blood flow despite a 10% ETCO2 drop. ETCO2 and CO contributed to ICA blood flow variance (adjusted R2: 0.9, p < 0.0001). The median SI was low (<0.2) indicating intact CA, confirmed by surrogate date testing. The peak SI was transiently elevated during resistance breathing in the 60° position. Resistance breathing may transiently reduce CA efficiency. Paced breathing did not restore CO or ICA blood flow.

The impact of pre-ictal statin use on vasospasm and outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Pleiotropic effects of statins may be beneficial in alleviating cerebral vasospasm (VS) and improving outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Initiation of statin treatment at aSAH is not recommended; however, the effect of pre-ictal and continued statin use is not fully investigated. METHODS: Retrospective study comparing aSAH patients admitted in 2012 to 2021 with pre-ictal statin use versus those not using statins. Patient entry variables, radiological/sonological VS, symptomatic VS, and radiologically documented delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) were registered. Outcome was scored in terms of mortality, modified Rankin score, Glasgow outcome score extended, and levels of fatigue. Patients were compared on group level and in a case-control design. RESULTS: We included 961 patients, with 204 (21.2%) statin users. Statin users were older and had more often hypertension. Severe radiological/sonological VS, symptomatic VS, and DCI were less frequent in statin users, and their length of stay was shorter. Mortality, functional outcome, and levels of fatigue were similar in both groups. When analyzing 89 pairs of statin users and non-statin users matched for age, aSAH severity, gender, and hypertension, we confirmed decreased radiological/sonological and symptomatic VS as well as shorter length of stay in statin users. They also had more often a favorable functional outcome and lower levels of fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with pre-ictal and continued use of statins have a reduced occurrence of radiological/sonological and symptomatic VS, shorter length of stay, and more often favorable functional outcome, whereas mortality is similar to non-statin users. Even though larger multicenter studies with common, strict protocols for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of vasospasm are needed to finally establish the value of statins in aSAH, continuation of pre-ictal statin use seems worthwhile.

Impact of smoking on course and outcome of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: While the smoking-related risk of experiencing an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is well established, it remains unclear whether smoking has an unexpected "protective effect" in aSAH, or if smokers are more at risk for complications and poor outcomes. METHODS: Prospective, observational study investigating the course and outcome of aSAH in patients admitted during the years 2011 and 2012. Smoking status at admittance, demographic, medical, and radiological variables were registered along with management, complications, and outcome at 1 year in terms of mortality, modified Rankin score, and Glasgow outcome score extended. We compared current smokers with nonsmokers on group level and by paired analysis matched by aSAH severity, age, and severity of vasospasm. RESULTS: We included 237 patients, thereof 138 current smokers (58.2%). Seventy-four smoker/nonsmoker pairs were matched. Smokers presented more often in poor clinical grade, had less subarachnoid blood, and were younger than nonsmokers. Ruptured aneurysms were larger, and multiple aneurysms more common in smokers. Severe multi-vessel vasospasm was less frequent in smokers, whereas all other complications occurred at similar rates. Mortality at 30 days was lower in smokers and functional outcome was similar in smokers and nonsmokers. Poor clinical grade, age, cerebral infarction, and vertebrobasilar aneurysms were independent predictors of 1-year mortality and of poor functional outcome. Serious comorbidity was a predictor of 1-year mortality. Smoking did not predict mortality or poor functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Notwithstanding clinically more severe aSAH, smokers developed less frequently severe vasospasm and had better outcome than expected. The risk for complications after aSAH is not increased in smokers.

The Hydrodynamic Effect of Bare Platinum Coils versus Hydrogel-Coated Platinum Coils.

SUMMARY: HydroCoils (HES) were designed to obtain a better initial aneurysm occlusion and increased durability of endovascular treatment. We compared the immediate hydrodynamic effects of HES versus bare platinum coils (Guglielmi detachable coils, GDC). Intra-aneurysmal pressure and flow were measured with a 0.014 inch guidewire mounted transducer in silicone aneurysms mounted onto a pulsatile flow phantom before and after consecutively coiling with GDC and HES. We evaluated flow using the thermodilution technique along with changes in steady pressure and sudden increases in pressure. We also considered the effect of the coils on the transmission of pressure from the parent artery to the dome of the aneurysm. Intra-aneurysmal pressure remained unchanged after maximal packing with either GDC or HES. Sudden increases in pressure were less attenuated within the aneurysm after coiling with HES. In spite of HES obtaining a much higher percentage filling volume in the aneurysms, GDC equivalently virtually abolished intra-aneurysmal flow apart from in one instance where there was significant persistent flow after coiling with GDC. The effects of HES in terms of pressure and flow attenuation within the aneurysm could hence not be proven superior to GDC.

Surgical treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in the presence of 24-h endovascular availability: management and results.

Endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms increasingly supersedes surgical repair. This study focuses on the management and results in 109 individuals treated surgically when both treatment modalities were available. The management principles were immediate identification of the origin of haemorrhage, early aneurysm repair, minimal brain retraction during surgery and rigorous prevention of secondary brain damage. Predominantly, aneurysms located on the middle cerebral artery and those of the posterior communicating artery were allocated to surgery. Despite of ultra-swift care, aneurysm rebleeds remained a challenge. Although one-third of the patients presented in a poor clinical grade, outcome was good with 87 (80%) of the individuals being independent, 16 (15%) being dependent and six patients (6%) dying. Results of surgical aneurysm repair are good presupposed the untiring ongoing efforts of an inter-disciplinary team of dedicated physicians and nurses.

The influence of aneurysm configuration on intra-aneurysmal pressure and flow.

SUMMARY: Aneurysm rupture may occur in conjunction with swift pressure increases like heavy lifting. We therefore investigated the transmission of pressure waves as well as local flow rates in various types of experimental aneurysms and their parent arteries. 0.014-inch guidewires containing a combined pressure and thermistor sensor were inserted into both the dome and the parent artery of idealized silicone aneurysms mounted in a pulsatile flow phantom. Intravascular pressure and thermodilution responses to injections of room-temperatured normal saline at a rate of 5cc.s(-1) over two seconds were recorded simultaneously at both sites. Flow was evaluated semiquantitatively applying the thermodilution principle. We found that the propagation of pressure was attenuated at the dome of the aneurysms compared to their respective parent arteries. This difference was more distinct in side-wall aneurysms than in bifurcational aneurysms. The attenuation of traveling pressure in the aneurysm was most effective at low systemic pressures. The intraaneurysmal flow rate was unique, always lower than in the respective parent arteries and highly dependent on the configuration of the aneurysm.We observed considerably higher flow rates in bifurcational aneurysms compared to side-wall aneurysms. Bifurcational aneurysms were hence characterized by a relatively high pressure transmission and high flow rates which may represent a stimulus for enlargement of untreated aneurysms and promote coil compaction in endovascularly treated lesions.

The ELANA technique: constructing a high flow bypass using a non-occlusive anastomosis on the ICA and a conventional anastomosis on the SCA in the treatment of a fusiform giant basilar trunk aneurysm.

A patient with a partially thrombosed fusiform giant basilar trunk aneurysm presented with devastating headache and symptoms of progressive brain stem compression. Having an aneurysm inaccessible for endovascular treatment, and after failing a vertebral artery balloon occlusion test, he was offered bypass surgery in order to exclude the aneurysm from the cerebral circulation and relieve his symptoms. A connection between the intracranial internal carotid artery and the superior cerebellar artery was created whereupon the basilar artery was ligated just distally to the aneurysm. The proximal anastomosis on the internal carotid artery was made using the excimer laser-assisted non-occlusive anastomosis (ELANA) technique, while a conventional end-to-side anastomosis was used for the distal anastomosis on the superior cerebellar artery. Intra-operative flowmetry showed a flow through the bypass of 40 ml/min after ligation of the basilar artery. An angiogram 24 hours later showed normal filling of the bypass and the vessels supplied by it, but also disclosed a subtotal occlusion of the proximal ipsilateral middle cerebral artery with delayed filling distally. The patient, who had a known thrombogenic coagulopathy, died the following day. Autopsy showed no signs of ischemia in the territories supplied by the bypass, but a thrombus in the proximal middle cerebral artery and massive acute hemorrhagic infarction with swelling in its territory and uncal herniation. Multiple fresh thrombi were found in the lungs. The ELANA anastomosis showed re-endothelialisation without thrombus formation on the inside.

A prospective study on the clinical effect of surgical treatment of normal pressure hydrocephalus: the value of hydrodynamic evaluation.

The effect of surgical treatment of patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is reported to be variable. Candidates for surgery have often been selected using hydrodynamic tests; however, the predictive value of such tests remains uncertain. Seventeen patients with idiopathic NPH underwent continuous computerized intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and a steady state lumbar infusion test determining the resistance to cerebrospinal outflow (R(out)). The patients were treated surgically and clinically re-examined approximately 6 months postoperatively using a new NPH score. The effect of surgical treatment was good. The R(out) was positively correlated with the clinical state of the patients before treatment. After surgery, the R(out) correlated well with the improvement in gait and NPH score. Ventricular size was negatively correlated with hydrodynamic variables before treatment. Surgery reduced the ventricular size only slightly and the degree of reduction was linked to the R(out). ICP measurements could not predict outcome in NPH cases.

Lack of relationship between resistance to cerebrospinal fluid outflow and intracranial pressure in normal pressure hydrocephalus.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether calculation of resistance to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow (Rout) by the lumbar constant rate infusion test in a reliable way predicts the intracranial pressure (ICP) profile in normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). METHODS: A prospective study was undertaken including 16 cases with clinical signs of normal pressure hydrocephalus that were investigated with both continuous ICP monitoring and the lumbar constant rate infusion test. Intracranial pressure monitoring was performed for about 24 h, and supplied with a simultaneous lumbar constant rate infusion test at the end of the monitoring period. The pressure recordings were analysed using the Sensometrics Pressure Analyser. Various characteristics of the pressure curves were compared. RESULTS: The continuous ICP recordings were considered as normal (mean ICP<11.5 mmHg) in all 16 cases. The lumbar infusion test showed an apparently abnormal resistance to CSF outflow (Rout) (> or =12.0 mmHg/ml/min) in 12 of 16 cases. There was no relationship between lumbar Rout and mean ICP during sleep. We could not find any relationship between lumbar Rout and number of nightly ICP elevations of 1525 mmHg lasting 0.5 or 1 min. Neither resistance to CSF outflow (Rout) nor mean ICP during sleep was related to the ventricular size. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this prospective study revealed no significant relationship between resistance to CSF outflow (Rout) and the ICP profile in NPH cases. The results also suggest that caution should be made when predicting the ICP profile on the basis of measuring the lumbar CSF pressure for a few minutes duration.

Effect of Guglielmi detachable coil placement on intraaneurysmal pressure: experimental study in canines.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Treatment of ruptured aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) has been shown to prevent repeat bleeding. To assess whether GDC coiling alters aneurysmal pressure, we measured intraaneurysmal pressure in two canine types of carotid artery aneurysms before and after GDC placement. METHODS: A 0.014-inch guidewire with a pressure transducer was inserted into parent arteries and domes of surgically created aneurysms. Intravascular static pressures were recorded before and during saline power injections (10, 20, and 30 mL over 1 and 2 s), before and after GDC placement. Common femoral arterial pressure was monitored. RESULTS: Saline power injections reproducibly and abruptly increased pressure in parent arteries and aneurysms. Mean intraaneurysmal pressure varied (18 +/- 4 [10 mL] to 75 +/- 15 mm Hg [30 mL]), independent of injection duration. Intraaneurysmal baseline pressures were higher after GDC placement (111 +/- 10 versus 93 +/- 15 mm Hg; P =.05). Aneurysmal pressure increases with saline injections were slightly higher after GDC placement, which dampened intraaneurysmal pressure amplitude at baseline (26.5 +/- 5.6 versus 19.6 +/- 7.4 mm Hg; P =.003) and during hypertension (25.3 +/- 5.4 versus 19.8 +/- 7.5 mm Hg, P =.002). The pressure increase slope with saline injection was delayed with GDC placement (0.24 +/- 0.1 versus 0.38 +/- 0.19 s; P <.001). CONCLUSION: Graded saline power injections into parent arteries can rapidly increase intraaneurysmal pressure. GDC treatment did not attenuate mean intraaneurysmal pressures, but both dampened the pressure amplitude and delayed pressure increases during locally induced hypertension.

Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography-guided management of internal carotid artery closure.

OBJECTIVE: To emphasize the integrated use of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) in the management of internal carotid artery (ICA) closure. METHODS: Thirty-three patients being considered for ICA closure underwent TCD assessment, vasomotor reserve testing/estimation, and carotid artery test occlusion with concomitant middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood velocity (V(MCA)) monitoring, including calculation of the MCA pulsatility index. Twelve of these patients proceeded to undergo ICA sacrifice. Sequential TCD sonograms guided their postoperative treatment. RESULTS: ICA aneurysms and neck neoplasms affected the TCD results and vasomotor reserve insignificantly, whereas carotid-cavernous fistulae induced characteristic circulatory alterations. The 10 subjects who tolerated ICA sacrifice hemodynamically all showed an initial decrease in the ipsilateral V(MCA) to > or =60% of the preocclusion value and a progressively decreasing MCA pulsatility index during carotid artery test occlusion. The two patients who developed hemodynamic cerebral infarctions exhibited a decrease in V(MCA) to <60% and a MCA pulsatility index that remained stable after a vast initial reduction. Postoperative hypervolemic and hypertensive support was safely titrated in all patients who received postoperative TCD surveillance, providing an ipsilateral V(MCA) of > or =80% of the preocclusion value. ICA closure permanently altered the cerebral circulatory pattern. CONCLUSION: The hemodynamic outcome of ICA sacrifice can be correctly predicted by using the TCD occlusion test. TCD provides the means to titrate the extent of postoperative hypervolemic/hypertensive support.

Cerebral artery blood velocity in normal subjects during acute decreases in barometric pressure.

To investigate the effect of acute changes in barometric pressure on regional cerebral perfusion we studied the middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood velocity in five healthy male volunteers by means of a low-pressure chamber. The MCA blood velocity, arterial blood and respiratory gases were measured at the barometric pressures of 1, 0.8, 0.65, and 0.5 atmospheres. The observed blood velocity (Vo) showed no systematic changes. Decreases in barometric pressure induced hypoxia and hypocapnia. When normalizing the MCA blood velocity (Vn) to a standard P(CO2) (5.3 kPa), thereby correcting for the hypoxic induced hypocapnia, we obtained an inverse relationship between cerebral artery blood velocity and arterial blood oxygen content (CaO2). The oxygen supply to the brain, estimated as the product of Vo and CaO2, decreased with lowering of the barometric pressure. However, the product of Vn and CaO2 remained constant. This suggests the existence of a regulatory mechanism attempting to maintain a constant oxygen supply to the brain during acute changes in CaO2, if the hyperventilation induced decrease in PCO2 can be omitted. In the artificial situation of a low pressure chamber, our findings are quite similar to those obtained at sea level. This indicates that the underlying mechanisms of control of cerebral blood flow do not change during acute exposure to altitude.

Varying impact of common carotid artery digital compression and internal carotid artery balloon test occlusion on cerebral hemodynamics.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the cerebral hemodynamic changes brought about by common carotid artery (CCA) digital compression and angiographic internal carotid artery (ICA) balloon occlusion. METHODS: Bilateral transcranial Doppler ultrasonographic monitoring of the middle cerebral artery blood velocity (VMCA) was performed in 12 subjects with neck neoplasms or traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas. The MCA pulsatility index (PIMCA) and hemodynamic tension (Uhem MCA) were calculated. RESULTS: Common carotid artery compression provoked the largest drop in ipsilateral VMCA, PIMCA, and Uhem MCA. Common carotid artery compression caused a steal of blood from the intra- to the extracranial circulation, with the discrepancy in hemodynamic findings between CCA and ICA test occlusions being dependent on the quantity of reversed ipsilateral ICA blood flow. CONCLUSION: If the carotid artery is to be sacrificed, permanent ICA closure is the procedure of choice with respect to the occurrence of cerebral ischemic lesions in patients with neck neoplasms and ICA flow reversal during CCA compression.

Cerebral haemodynamics in internal carotid artery trial occlusion.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the cerebral haemodynamic changes brought about by trial occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Sixteen patients with surgically inaccessible cerebral aneurysms, carotid cavernous fistulas or neck neoplasms were monitored with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) during 90-120 s angiographic ICA balloon occlusion or ICA closure with a Selverstone clamp. The blood velocity (V) was registered continuously in both middle cerebral arteries (MCA) while the pulsatility index (PIMCA) and haemodynamic tension (Uhem MCA) were calculated. ICA closure led to an instantaneous drop in the ipsilateral VMCA, PIMCA and Uhem MCA. The VMCA thereafter increased gradually until reaching a stable level. The subjects were grouped into those with initial drops in VMCA to > or = 60% of pre-occlusion value (group 1) and those that fell to < 60% (group 2), respectively. In group 1 autoregulatory mechanisms made the PIMCA decline further, while the Uhem MCA remained unaltered during ICA closure. In group 2, however, the PIMCA did not change further, while the Uhem MCA increased slightly. The cerebral haemodynamic features during ICA test occlusion were thus essentially different in the two groups. On re-opening the ICA, there was an overshoot in VMCA and Uhem MCA. Contralaterally, the VMCA was increased during ICA occlusion. Seven of the patients later had their ICA closed permanently. While none of five group 1 patients developed haemodynamic complications, two group 2 individuals experienced haemodynamic stroke. Assuming ICA sacrifice is feasible when test occlusion results in an ipsilateral initial reduction in VMCA to > or = 60% of pre-occlusion value, the corresponding limit for the Uhem MCA is > or = 40%. In the pre-operative evaluation of the haemodynamic risk related to ICA loss, TCD emerges as a reliable method. It also seems to allow for the reduction of test occlusion time to 90-120 s.

Haemodynamic classification of symptomatic obstructive carotid artery disease.

63 subjects with symptomatic obstructive carotid artery disease were investigated with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Their blood velocities at rest (V) in the middle and posterior cerebral artery (MCA and PCA) and in the extracranial internal carotid artery were measured and the pulsatility index (PI) and Uhem index (VMCA.PIMCA/VPCA.PIPCA) calculated. The vasomotor responses in both MCAs were also tested. The subjects were divided into groups based on the findings on physical examination and cerebral computed tomography. In the patient group with lacunar/territorial infarction we found in the stroke hemisphere: VMCA > VPCA, PIMCA = PIPCA and normal values for the Uhem index and total vasomotor reactivity. In the patient group with watershed infarction this hemisphere was characterized by: VMCA < VPCA, PIMCA < PIPCA and subnormal scores for the Uhem index and total vasomotor reactivity. Displaying features from both stroke groups, we obtained in the hemisphere of interest in patients with transient ischaemic attacks: VMCA = VPCA, PIMCA < PIPCA and normal values for the Uhem index and total vasomotor reactivity. Five patients with clinical evidence of stroke but with negative cerebral computed tomography findings had scores similar to those of the watershed group of patients. For the stroke patients, individual measurements of V, PI and total vasomotor reactivity failed to clearly identify to which stroke group a subject might belong. However, such an identification was achieved in all subjects when using the Uhem index. The Uhem index data in patients with transient ischaemic attacks suggest two subgroups with different pathogenesis underlying, the ischaemic events.

Cerebral haemodynamic considerations in obstructive carotid artery disease.

46 subjects with obstructive carotid artery disease were investigated with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Their baseline blood velocities (V) in the middle, anterior and posterior cerebral artery (MCA, ACA and PCA) and in the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) were measured and the pulsatility index (PI) calculated for each vessel. Thereafter the vasomotor reserve in both MCAs was tested. Typical patterns of V, PI and vasomotor reactivity are presented. Arterial collaterals were recognized by their relatively increased velocities. We demonstrated a close association of the baseline variables V and PI and the total vasomotor reactivity (hypocapnic plus no, hypercapnic response) by calculating an index of Uhem related to the cerebrovascular tone. The Uhem index is expressed by: Uhem index = VMCA.PIMCA/VPCA.PIPCA The relationship between Uhem index and the total vasomotor reactivity seemed to correspond to a hyperbolic curve. The hyperbolic tangent of Uhem index and total vasomotor reactivity correlated highly significantly, r = 0.8203, p < 0.0001, n = 49, the best fit for the regression line was Y = -0.005 + Uhem index 51.3. On the 99% significance level an Uhem index > or = 0.94 indicated normal total cerebral vasomotor reactivity in contrast to an impaired reactivity when < or = 0.81. Findings in 20 patients investigated post hoc supported the validity of our concept.