The relation of cerebral ischemia, hypoxia, and hypercarbia to the Cushing response.
A marked increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) produces a concomitant increase in systemic blood pressure (the Cushing response). In this study a comparison is made between this response of systemic blood pressure to increased ICP and the blood pressure responses produced by ischemia, hypoxia, and hypercarbia of the primate brain. A carotid-to-carotid cross-perfusion system was used to produce a purely cerebral hypoxia and hypercarbia. Each stimulus, except hypercarbia, produced a hypertensive response that was qualitatively and quantitatively similar. These responses were characterized by a short latent period, a rapid development, and an increase in mean arterial pressure of 60% or more. The similarity of the responses suggests that these stimuli act through a final common pathway independent of the purely mechanical effects of increased ICP upon the brain.
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003427:Cross Circulation; D000882:Haplorhini; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008253:Macaca mulatta