Experimental study of cerebral protection of intermittent cerebroplegia perfusion during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

Objective To study the protective effect and the protective mechanism of intermittent oxygenated cerebroplegia perfusion during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). Methods Ten mongrel dogs underwent DHCA for 120 min. Five dogs in group B received oxygenated cerebroplegic infusion and 5 dogs in group A did not following DHCA. Cerebral cortex was collected at different time points to determine ATP content, NOS activity and examine the ultrastructure under transmission electron microscopy. Results At 120 min of DHCA and at 45 min of reperfusion, the content of ATP in the group B was higher significantly than in the group A. The number of NOS positive neurons in the group A was higher significantly than in the group B. TE examination revealed that the damage of the ultrastructure in the group A was more severe than in the group B. Conclusion Intermittent oxygenated cerebroplegia perfusion during DHCA is an optimal cerebral protective method.\;