Experimental of Cerebral Vasospasm and Measure the Mean Blood Flow Velocity in the Middle Cerebral Artery

To determine the appropriate concentration of papaverine hydrochloride(PPV) for therapeutic intraarterial infusion against cerebral vasospasm and to measure the mean blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery in rabbits. Vasospasm was induced in the experimental groups (3 days after infusion; group 1, n=3, 7 days after infusion; group 2, n=3) and a control group (n=l) by placing a blood clot in the subarachnoid space around the top of the internal carotid siphon. PPV (5 mg/kg) was infused into the internal carotid artery. The vascular diameters of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) were measured on angiograms before and after infusion. The mean blood flow velocity in the MCA was measured on transcranial doppler sonograms before and 24 hours after infusion. After fixation, the MCA was dissected out, stained, and examined microscopically. After PPV infusion in both groups, vascular dilatation of about $20\%$ was seen. The mean increase in blood flow velocity in the group $1(30\%)$ was smaller than in the group $2(70\%)$. The mean blood flow velocity in the MCA decreased by about $30\%$ in both groups, but increased again after 24 hours nearly to the level before PPV infusion. PPV infusion may be more effective in early stages of vasospasm when vascular walls have fewer histologic changes.