Attempts to understand the role of blood flow in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury are limited by the lack of clear conceptual framework regarding the normal regulation of this variable. In order to elucidate the pathophysiology, alterations i...
Attempts to understand the role of blood flow in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury are limited by the lack of clear conceptual framework regarding the normal regulation of this variable. In order to elucidate the pathophysiology, alterations in regional spinal cord blood flow (rSCBF) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) patterns were observed in cat's traumatized spinal cords.
Studies in cord trauma models indicated marked reduction of rSCBF, and suppressed SEP at the level of trauma (T_4) and the adjacent areas(T_2, T_6). The SEP was correlated with reduction of the rSCBF.
Maintaining perfusion pressure during the early posttraumatic period may prevent the secondary injury of ischemia in the traumatized spinal cords.