Effect of carbon dioxide inhalation on the pattern of gaseous metabolism in ischaemic zones of the primate cortex. An experimental study of the 'intracerebral steal' phenomenon in baboons.

The cortical circulation of the baboon has been studied during ischaemia produced by middle cerebral occlusion. Evidence of reactive hyperaemia did not occur in hypercapnia. Metabolic studies as a whole present evidence of increased interference with gaseous metabolism during hypercarbic occlusion, despite raised venous pO(2) during hypercarbia. The significance of these findings is discussed.