Neurosurgery
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We tested the effect of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABC) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in a canine model of cerebral vasospasm. Cerebral vasospasm was induced in ten adult mongrel dogs using a "two-hemorrhage" model. CBF was then measured using radiolabeled microspheres, before and after activation of an intra-aortic balloon pump. ⋯ Increases in CBF were associated in most, but not all, cases with increases in cardiac output. This study supports the ability of IABC to raise CBF in the setting of cerebral vasospasm. IABC may represent an important clinical option in cases of refractory vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.