Effects of cerebral air embolism on brain metabolism in pigs.
OBJECTIVE
Cerebral air embolism was induced in pigs and changes in intracranial pressure (ICP), brain oxygen (PbrO2), brain carbon dioxide (PbrCO2), brain pH (brpH) and glucose, lactate and pyruvate levels were used to characterize this model.


METHODS
In seven anesthetized pigs, ICP, PbrO2, PbrCO2 and brpH were measured continuously with multiparameter sensors and brain glucose metabolism by microdialysis. After injection of air into the internal carotid artery, these parameters were recorded for 2 h.


RESULTS
ICP increased (433%) from 12 +/- 1 to 52 +/- 8 mmHg (P < 0.05). PbrO2 decreased from 25.7 +/- 6.2 to 11.9 +/- 5.2 mmHg. PbrCO2 increased (109%) from 57.7 +/- 2.7 to 120.4 +/- 21.5 mmHg (P < 0.05). Brain glucose decreased (38%) from 3.05 +/- 0.91 to 1.91 +/- 0.55 mmol, while brain lactate increased (384%) from 1.36 +/- 0.15 to 5.22 +/- 0.53 mmol/l (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Cerebral air embolism has a deleterious effect on ICP and brain metabolism. Therefore, this model may be suitable for testing therapeutic regimens in cerebral air embolism.
van Hulst
R A
RA
Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Lameris
T W
TW
Hasan
D
D
Klein
J
J
Lachmann
B
B
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D019289:Pyruvic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D019344:Lactic Acid; D019289:Pyruvic Acid; D005947:Glucose; D010100:Oxygen