Acta neurologica Scandinavica. Supplementum
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Acta Neurol. Scand., Suppl.c · Jan 1988
Tomographic cerebral blood flow measurements in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease and evaluation of the vasodilatory capacity by the acetazolamide test.
Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured in a series of patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease using xenon-133 inhalation and single photon emission computer tomography. The spontaneous course of CBF changes in a consecutive series of stroke patients was evaluated. A quite heterogeneous pattern of flow changes was observed: In patients with large cortical/subcortical infarcts, extensive hypoperfused areas were observed, often significantly larger than the corresponding hypodense lesion on the CT scan. ⋯ In order to differentiate between permanent flow changes caused by a functional impairment and a possible hemodynamic component, CBF was measured before and after administration of a potent cerebral vasodilator, acetazolamide (Diamox). In normal cases tested with Diamox, an even CBF increase is noted throughout the hemispheres, while the cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen remains stable. In patients having a severe stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery, this vasodilatory stress test will identify the patients having poor collateral capacity via the circle of Willis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)