Cerebral circulation during endotoxic shock with special emphasis on the regional cerebral blood flow in vivo.

Left hemispheric blood flow was measured in eight adult Australian sheep prior to and, 1, 4, 30 and 60 min after the injection of endotoxin, E. Coli, 3 mg kg-1 bodyweight, using a radioisotope method. The mean left hemispheric blood flow prior to septic shock was 200 ml min-1 from which it rapidly reduced to 86 ml min-1 (1 min), and after a short recovery gradually decreased to 39 ml min-1 (60 min). Regional cerebral blood flow showed the highest value in the occipital region prior to septic shock, whereas 60 min after the endotoxin administration it reduced to the same low flow level, as in the other areas of the brain.