HEMODILUTION IN CEREBRAL INFARCTS

To evaluate the effect of hypervolemic hemodilution on cerebral blood flow (CBF) two protocols have been performed: A) Ten randomly selected baboons have been treated with either low molecular dextrane (10 ml/kg) or normal saline (10 ml/kg). Regional cerebral ischemia was produced in all baboons. CBF increased selectively in the ischemic territory but not in the normally perfused tissue. B) Forty patients with acute cerebral ischemia were treated on day onset of symptoms with either dextrose, low molecular weight dextrane, hydroxyethyl starch or pentoxifylline. After intravenous infusion of the substances CBF increased only in the groups treated with dextrane- or starch-solution. Ischemic tissue benefitted more from hypervolemic hemodilution than normally perfused tissue. It was concluded that hypervolemic hemodilution leads to increase of cerebral blood flow, more in ischemic than in normally perfused brain tissue.