Experimental head injury in the rat. Part 3: Cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption after concussive impact...

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygen consumption (CMRO2) were determined during timmediate posttraumatic period in rats subjected to concussive impact acceleration. According to previous studies an impact of 9 m/sec velocity elicited typical and marked symptoms of experimental concussion and often a prolonged comatose state, accompanied by cerebral metabolic signs of energy failure. During the immediate concussive response there was an increase of the CBF, followed within the next few minutes by a decrease to about one-third of normal flow, and then by a tendency toward normalization of flow 20 to 40 minutes posttrauma. Simultaneous measurements of cerebral oxygen extraction indicated an increase of the CMRO2 during the first minute. During the ischemic phase oxygen extraction increased but the lowest CBF values were only partially compensated for, and normal oxygen availability could not be maintained. The combined data, including cerebrospinal fluid pressure measurements, indicated primary cerebrovascular effects of the concussive trauma. These vasomotor effects may induce critical cerebral ischemia and thus profoundly influence posttraumatic cerebral function, and cause irreversible damage.