Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2026
Induction of Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism in Rat
Published on: October 18, 2024
Effects of cerebral air embolism on brain metabolism in pigs
R A van Hulst1, T W Lameris, D Hasan
1Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Objectives:
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.
