Isolated profound cerebral cooling with a bi-carotid heat exchanger shunt in dogs

Intracerebral temperatures of 15 degrees C have been achieved in 20 canine brains using a simple cannulation of the carotid arteries and interposition of a highly efficient heat exchanger. The appropriate changes in cardiovascular function and cerebral electrical activities have been documented. The extracorporeal system does not require the use of a pump oxygenator unit.