Acta neuropathologica
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Acta neuropathologica · May 2004
Comparative StudyThe beneficial effect of mild hypothermia in a rat model of repeated thromboembolic insults.
The post-thrombotic brain has recently been reported to have an enhanced vulnerability to a second embolic insult. Although postischemic hypothermia is neuroprotective in global and focal ischemia models, the effect of mild hypothermia on outcome after thromboembolic insults has not been evaluated. This study therefore determined whether brain hypothermia (33 degrees C) was neuroprotective against repeated thromboembolic insults. ⋯ These data demonstrate that mild hypothermia is protective in a thromboembolic stroke model. In addition, post-thrombotic hypothermia decreases the histopathological vulnerability of the post-thrombotic brain to secondary embolic insults. These findings may be important in the prevention of stroke in patients at risk.