THE EFFECTS OF A CAROTID-JUGULAR FISTULA ON CEREBRAL BLOOD-FLOW IN THE CAT - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY IN THE ACUTE PERIOD

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of feli ne carotid-jugular (CJ) fistula (Spetzler's model) on cerebral blood f low (CBF) in the acute period after creation of the fistula. Using las er-Doppler flowmetry, cortical CBF was measured on the fistula side of 11 cats. Temporary occlusion and opening of the fistula led to an imm ediate increase and decrease, respectively, in cortical CBF. However, CBF returned to baseline within 1 minute, on average. CO2 reactivity i n the closed fistula was preserved. It is suggested that cerebral hemo dynamic changes due to Spetzler's CJ fistula model are minimal in the acute period after fistulization.