Red cell velocity and autoregulation in the cerebral cortex of the cat

This report deals with a comparison of total and regional cerebral blood flow with red cell velocity in the microcirculation of the ecto- and suprasylvian areas of the cerebral cortex of the cat and their response to changes in systemic blood pressure. Total and regional blood flows were measured during a steady-state with radioactive microspheres; a newly devised method, based on transillumination was employed for direct visualization of the microcirculation in the cerebral cortex. Craniotomy failed to influence either autoregulation or red cell velocity under the skull opening or of the total cerebral flow. Autoregulation of total and regional cerebral flow was present. In contrast marked pressure-dependent variations in microcirculatory red cell velocity occurred. A fall in systemic pressure was accompanied by a decrease in red cell velocity; return of pressure resulted in increased red cell velocity and in some instances, in an overshoot. Considerable inhomogeneity of red cell velocity in different microcirculatory vessels was encountered. In some cases a fall in systemic pressure led to complete disappearance of red cells.