Alteration in the distribution of organ perfusion following profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest in the baboon.

The physiologic consequences of profound hypothermic circulatory arrest in infants are incompletely understood. Immature baboons underwent surface cooling, followed by core cooling using cardiopulmonary bypass, circulatory arrest for 30 min, and perfusion rewarming. Blood flow to and within organs was studied using the multiple-radionuclide-label microsphere technique. Marked redistribution of total and regional myocardial and cerebral flow occurred during cooling and rewarming.