Xenon 133 CBF Measurements in the Clinical Management of Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Abstract

A large number of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) develop neurologic deficits as a result of critical reductions in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and it has been suggested that CBF measurements may be useful in the clinical management of these patients. Although a number of studies have shown that flow is decreased following SAH, the relationship between CBF and clinical status is not well understood and often a poor correlation exists between these two parameters. On the other hand, factors which would tend to cause hemodynamic instability, such as arterial spasm or intracranial surgery, are frequently associated with neurologic deterioration suggesting a cause and effect relationship. In an attempt to clarify these issues, we have examined the progressive changes in CBF at various stages in the clinical course of patients with SAH and have related these changes to the corresponding alterations in neurologic status and angiographic and CT information.