Haemodynamic changes in the cerebral circulation of the cat during occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.

In a group of 21 cats, the middle cerebral artery pressure (MCAP) was recorded by means of a catheter introduced into the artery at its origin, just distal to the occlusion. The effects of hypertension, hypercapnia, and hypocapnia were studied. In a group of five cats, both middle cerebral arteries (MCA) were catherized and the pressure was recorded simultaneously on both sides. In another group of five cats, O2 tension measurements were made with the aid of oxygen electrodes in the brain tissue, the occluded MCA, and the common carotid artery. Some of the results obtained in this study are compared with the results of a previous study where monkeys were used as experimental animals.