Is postischemic hypoperfusion related to brain edema?

The effect of reversible cerebral ischemia on brain edema development was studied with a gravimetric method. CBF changes after ischemia were correlated with alterations in brain SG. Forebrain ischemia (15 min) was induced in rats by reversible bilateral ligation of both carotid arteries plus induction of controlled hypotension to 50 mm Hg. The SG of different brain structures was determined in a Percoll column up to 24 hr after ischemia. In addition, rCBF was measured by [14C]iodoantipyrine autoradiography. Cerebral ischemia resulted in reduction of CBF to less than 1% of normal in cortical structures and the caudatoputamen. One hour after the end of ischemia, blood flows were still reduced to 30% to 50% of the control level indicative of DPH. SG in cortex and hypothalamus reached a maximal decrease 10 min after the end of the ischemia and was still significantly reduced at 1 hr, although it was normal again 6 hr later. Regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between CBF obtained during ischemia and the corresponding SG found at 10-min recirculation, which could also be established at 1-hr recirculation. Therefore, a causal relation between the development of the DPH and the formation of ischemia might be considered.