Cerebrovascular response to dynamic changes in pCO(2)

Fifty-six subjects with carotid artery disease were assessed by measuring t he cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) change in response to inhalation of 5% CO2 in air whilst continuously monitoring the blood pressure (BP). Coher ent ave raging of the data characterised differences in CBFV, BP, resistanc e area product and critical closing pressure during changes in end-tidal CO 2 (ETCO2). The results primarily demonstrate that the augmentation of ETCO2 increases the CBFV and BP, causing a pressure autoregulatory response, and allows the processes of pressure autoregulation and cerebral vascular rese rve to be differentiated.