Conjunctival Microcirculation Is Associated with Cerebral Cortex Microcirculation in Post ‐Resuscitation Mild Hypothermia: A Rat Model

This study aimed to compare the changes in sublingual and conjunctival microcirculation occurring with cerebral cortex microcirculation changes during mild hypothermia in a rat model of cardiac arrest. Twenty ‐four rats were randomized into mild hypothermia (M) or normothermia (C) groups. Ventricular fibrillation was electrically induced and left untreated for 8 min, followed by 8 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The core temperature in group M reduced to 33±0.5°C at 13 min after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and was maintained for 8 h. In group C, the core temperature was maintained at 37±0.2°C. The hemodynamics and microcirculation in the sublingual region, bulbar conjunctiva, and cerebral cortex were measured at baseline and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 h after ROSC. The M gro up showed significantly worse sublingual microcirculation at 6 h post‐resuscitation. However, microcirculation in the conjunctiva and cerebral cortex at 3 h post‐resuscitation were better in the M group. In the M group, microcirculation in the cerebral cortex was significantly correlated with th at in the conjunctiva but not the sublingual microcirculation. Changes in conjunctival microcirculation are closely related to cerebral cortex microcirculation during mild hypothermia, indicating that cerebral cortex microcirculation could be monitored by measuring conjunctival microcirculation.
Source: Microcirculation - Category: Research Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL RESEARCH Source Type: research