Cerebral microcirculatory changes during and following transient ventricular tachycardia in cats

Abstract

Although reduced cerebral perfusion is believed to be the cause of syncope due to cardiac arrhythmias, investigations on the cerebral microcirculation during cardiac arrhythmias have been rare. We therefore studied the effects of transient ventricular tachycardia on the local cerebral blood volume and blood flow. Experimental ventricular tachycardia was induced in cats by electrically stimulating the ventricle of the heart at a rate of 300/min for 1 min. Using our photoelectric method, the local cerebral blood volume, mean transit time of blood, and cerebral blood flow in the parieto-temporal region were measured during and for 3 h after ventricular tachycardia. Transient ventricular tachycardia of as short as 1 min caused cerebral ischemia with a blood flow reduction of approximately 30%. This was considered to be due to reduced blood pressure plus transient autonomic dysfunction, or dysautoregulation, during the ventricular tachycardia. Mild and transient reactive hyperemia occurred immediately after termination of the dysrhythmia, but continuous reductions of cerebral blood flow were observed thereafter for 3 h. This delayed hypoperfusion is attributable to either vasoconstriction of the large resistance vessels or changes in the hemorheological properties of the blood caused by cerebral ischemia. Ventricular tachycardia of the type reported has significant and long-lasting effects on the cerebral microcirculation.