BRAIN PROTECTION FOR CEREBRAL ANEURYSM SURGERY

The modern management of patients undergoing surgery for intracranial aneurysm often includes temporary periods of cerebral ischemia to mini mize the risks final dissection and clipping or to allow vascular reco nstruction. This article reviews the concepts of ischemic thresholds a nd examines the effects of the physiologic variables that may affect o utcome from an ischemic episode. The protective agents presently avail able and the agents in development that may limit the extent of ischem ic injury are reviewed extensively as well.