Methods for assessment of the effect of drugs on cerebral blood flow in man.

Abstract

The cerebral circulation is not an unimportant vascular bed but it is difficult one to investigate. Methodological difficulties are the main reasons for the paucity of clinical pharmacology studies to date. Of the methods currently available those of the McHenry (1964) and Wyper et al. (1976) appear to be the most useful to the clinical investigator. Increasing use of multiple detectors even with inhalation techniques may give evidence of regional drug effects upon the cerebral circulation. Improvements in methodology in the last few years, particularly the development of atraumatic methods are likely to act as an important spur to research in this field.

The effect of intravenous epoprostenol (prostacyclin, PGI2) on cerebral blood flow and cardiac output in man.

“…The problems inherent in this and other methods of measuring CBF have been detailed in a previous review (James, 1979). We have shown in two previous studies that mean CBF falls by about 9% in normal volunteers when CBF measurements are repeated during a 30 min infusion of 5% dextrose.…”

Failure of the Nitrous Oxide Tissue Equilibration Method for the Determination of Brain and Myocardial Blood Flow Under Controlled Conditions

“…The Kety-Schmidt nitrous oxide (N20) tissue equilibration method for the measurement of blood flow to regions or tissues with multiple inlets and outlets remains a standard method in physiological research (Kety & Schmidt 1945;James 1979;Lassen et al 1983). However a previous study found that this method did not perform reliably when applied to the measurement of myocardial blood flow in sheep (Reid et al 1991).…”

Failure of the Kety‐schmidt Nitrous Oxide Method for Determination of Myocardial Blood Flow

“…Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia. method (Kety & Schmidt 1945, has come to be regarded as a standard method for the measurement of blood flow through any organ having multiple vascular inlets and outlets, including the myocardium (Bing et al 1949;Rowe et al 1964;Klocke et al 1969;Klocke 1976;Swanton & Coultart 1978;James 1979;Lassen & Per1 1979;Lassen et al 1983). Despite its long history of use there are no reports of a comprehensive appraisal of the performance of this method in practice.…”