[The microcirculation in the cerebral cortex of rats at different stages of deep immersion hypothermia]

A 25-30 degrees C hypothermia significantly increased the capillary blood flow in the rat cerebral cortex. A deeper hypothermia (17-15 degrees C) led to a stable decrease in the blood flow up to initial level. Breathing ceased at this stage, the cardiac activity being evident for 30-40 minutes after this. Deep hypothermia also led to a reversible aggregation phenomenon which seemed not to hinder the blood flow.