Postischemic canine cerebral blood flow appears to be determined by cerebral metabolic needs.

Following a period of complete global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion there ensues a low flow state referred to as the delayed postischemic hypoperfusion state. It is unknown whether this low flow state contributes to neuronal injury or whether the magnitude of hypoperfusion correlates with the duration of ischemia. The latter question was addressed in 20 dogs in which complete global ischemia was induced by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compression for periods of 3, 9, 12, or 18 min. Following reperfusion, CBF (by sagittal sinus outflow) and CMRO2 were determined for 90 min, and results were correlated with the duration of ischemia. At 90 min postischemia the magnitude of decrease in CBF correlated crudely with the duration of ischemia (r = -0.67, p less than 0.01). For CMRO2 correlation of the magnitude of decrease with the duration of ischemia was more evident (r = -0.74, p less than 0.001). Furthermore, the postischemic ratio of CBF to CMRO2 was virtually identical for all dog groups regardless of the ischemic time. The adequacy of the ratio of CBF to CMRO2 was reflected by adequate oxygen levels in the sagittal sinus blood of all dogs. The authors conclude that the delayed postischemic hypoperfusion state is probably not an important determinant of neuronal injury since its magnitude appears to be primarily determined by the metabolic needs of the brain.