Contribution of the inflow arteries to alterations in total cerebrovascular resistance in the rabbit.

The contribution made by the cerebral inflow arteries to total cerebrovascular resistance (CVR) and their importance in producing alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF) (i.e., changes in CVR) were investigated. The arterial blood pressure at the circle of Willis was measured in 14 anesthetized rabbits via transorbital retrograde cannulation of the ophthalmic artery. CBF was measured in 21 rabbits under identical experimental conditions, using the hydrogen clearance technique. Inflow artery resistance was calculated from the measurements which were made at both normocapnia and hypercapnia throughout hemorrhagic hypotension. Under resting conditions, the inflow arteries made a relatively minor contribution to total CVR (7%). Hypercapnia resulted in a decrease in CVR and an increase in CBF; however, inflow artery resistance remained constant. Autoregulation and reductions in total CVR were observed as PP was reduced to 35 mm Hg. Inflow artery resistance remained constant at pressures greater than 45 mm Hg and increased slightly at PP less than 45 mm Hg. The relative contribution of inflow artery resistance to total CVR increased under the various conditions studied--increasing by a factor of 2 during hypercapnia, by a factor of 3 during hypotension, and by a factor of 4 during hypotension + hypercapnia. We concluded that the large inflow arteries do not participate in the autoregulatory or CO2 responses of the cerebrovasculature of the rabbit.