Abstract
The effects of defibrination with batroxobin (Bx) on the middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (MCA-V) and its CO2 reactivity during hypocapnia were examined in 12 patients with chronic cerebral infarction (S group), and compared with those in 25 healthy volunteers (C group). The MCA · V was measured with a transcranial Doppler flowmeter, and we calculated the corrected blood flow velocity (MCA ·V40) at 40 mm Hg of end-tidal carbon dioxide tension, and the CO2 reactivity during hypocapnia. In accordance with the significant decrease in plasma fibrinogen occurring after administration of Bx, the MCA·V at rest, MCA·V40, and CO2 reactivity during hypocapnia underwent significant increases in the C group and also in the S group (p<0.01, respectively), which suggested improvement of the cerebral microcirculation. A significant negative relationship (r =-0.583, p = 0.0001) existed between the plasma fibrinogen concentration and CO2 reactivity in the S group. In association with the decrease in plasma fibrinogen, the CO2 reactivity improved significantly in chronic cerebral infarction.
