Rheographic assessment of cerebral blood volume and correlations with changes in intracranial pressure

The authors present a four electrode rheographic technique for simiquantitative continuous measurement of CBV, by examining changes in cerebral tissue impedance induced by changes in blood content of the brain parenchyma. Correlation between the data obtained and ICP measurements permits conclusions regarding the behaviour of the cerebral blood bed. pCO2 regulates CBV, and the phenomenon is reversible according to a hystereris shaped time course in acute experiments. The rebound of ICP after sudden injections of CSF into the cisterna magna is of a vasogenic nature. Changes in CSF volume induce contrary changes in CBV. Pharmacological effects can be studied. The validity of the method is discussed.