The piglet as a model for cerebral circulation: an angiographic study.

The aim of this study was to further investigate the possibilities and limitations of the newborn piglet as a model for neonatal cerebral circulation and injury. The precerebral and cerebral circulation was visualized by aortic arch contrast injection and selective injections into internal carotid and vertebral arteries. Due to the well-developed collateral circulation, it is not possible to produce severe focal cerebral ischemia in the piglet by ligation of extracranial arteries. It is possible to produce a modified common carotid artery which supplies mainly intracerebral tissues and is accessible for continuous measurements of cerebral blood flow.