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Updated: Sep 29, 2026
Induction of Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism in Rat
Published on: October 18, 2024
Neurotoxicity of angiographic carbon dioxide in the cerebral vasculature
Alan J Wilson1, Miriam M Boxer
1Department of Medical Imaging and Flinders Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia. Alan.Wilson@flinders.edu.au
Rationale And Objectives:
This study was undertaken to resolve conflicting evidence about the neurotoxicity of carbon dioxide gas as an angiographic contrast medium within the cerebral vasculature.
Materials And Methods:
Single intracarotid injections or five consecutive intracarotid injections, at 2-minute intervals, of carbon dioxide, iopromide or saline, were given to 32 rabbits under clinically relevant conditions. Extravasation of Evans blue and Tc-pertechnetate was used to determine blood-brain barrier damage at 30 minutes or 6 hours after injection. At 6 hours after multiple injections, brains were removed for histologic examination.
Results:
A single intracarotid injection of carbon dioxide caused minimal blood-brain barrier breakdown, whereas multiple injections caused significant breakdown that was still present at 6 hours after the injections. All carbon dioxide-injected brains that underwent histologic examination showed evidence of irreversible brain damage in the injected hemisphere.
Conclusions:
The study confirms the neurotoxicity of carbon dioxide within the cerebral vasculature and its unsuitability for clinical use in cerebral angiography.
