Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Cerebral Hemo-dynamics in Normal Subjects and in Cerebrovascular Disease Studied by Carotid Injection of Radioalbumin

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Abstract
A study has been made in 11 normal elderly subjects and 26 patients suffering from the sequelae of cerebral apoplexy on the effects of the inhalation of a hypercapnic mixture on pulse rate, arterial pressure, arterial O2 and CO2 and the radioencephalo-graphic curves recorded during injection of radioalbumin into the carotid artery. The hemodynamic response of the cerebral circulation to hypercapnia was very rapid and intense in normal subjects and in a number of patients with history of apoplexy. In a number of patients with vascular disease, on the other hand, the response was considerably delayed in time, more so than reduced in intensity. Taking into account the early time course of the response, this hypercapnia test may provide a dynamic basis for evaluating severe degrees of reduced hemodynamic adaptability of the cerebral circulation.