The influence of bilateral electrical preganglionic sympathetic stimulation on intra- and extracranial blood flow

The effects of bilateral electrical stimulation (SS) of the cervical sympathetic chain on intra- and extra cerebral blood flows were studied with the labelled microsphere method in the rabbit. Control blood flow was determined before the SS was started. The stimulation frequency was 7 Hz, the impulse duration 2 ms, the intensity 7 V and the stimulation time varied between 1 to 5 minutes before the second blood flow determination. Arterial blood gas values and blood pressure were unaffected by the stimulation. Due to the SS there were blood flow decrements in the extracranial tissues between 60-96%. The blood flow in the eyes, the dura, pineal gland and choroid plexa was markedly reduced during the SS. No obvious effect was elicited by the SS in the regional or total cerebral blood flow. The stimulation to control blood flow ratio ranged between 0.92 +/- 0.08 to 1.13 +/- 0.09 in different parts of the brain. The conclusions are that SS elicits vasoconstriction in several extra- and intracranial nonneuronal tissues and in the eye. Cerebral blood flow is not influenced by the SS.