ABSTRACT
In neuroscience circles during the last decade, there has been tremendous interest in the possibility of reducing cerebral ischemic injury by pharmacological means. Much of the incentive for this interest has been driven by the huge population of adults who suffer ischemic strokes every year. The heart was exposed through a median sternotomy incision. The brachiocephalic trunk, which divides into the right and left common carotid artery beyond the takeoff of the right subclavian artery, was exposed. The right subclavian artery was dissected and a 6 French catheter was inserted retrograde into the artery to the point of vertebral artery takeoff for infusion of cerebroplegia solutions and pressure monitoring in the carotid artery system. Just as with cardioplegic solutions, the protective effects of University of Wisconsin solution may be improved by reversing the sodium/potassium ratio in an excitable tissue such as the brain. Further studies are needed for determination of optimal composition of the cerebroplegia solution.
