AVDO2 and EEG as indicators for treatment of post-traumatic brain swelling--experimental study.

A cat model of compression ischemia using epidural balloon inflation investigated: 1) the relationship between postischemic cerebral blood flow (CBF) and metabolism and brain swelling, 2) the use of arteriovenous oxygen difference (AVDO2) and electroencephalographic (EEG) frequency band analysis for monitoring CBF and cerebral metabolism, and 3) indications for selecting the therapy. Global ischemia was induced by brain compression, followed by rapid decompression, and AVDO2, CBF, cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen, and EEG were monitored. The animals were divided into delayed brain swelling and no swelling groups. The severity of compression ischemia influenced the recovery of CBF and cerebral metabolism. The AVDO2 and EEG reflected the CBF and cerebral metabolism. These parameters are useful in selecting the therapy for focal brain injury.