Stroke, Vol 8, 702-707, Copyright © 1977 by American Heart Association
Experimental cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage: development and degree of vasospasm
S Endo and J Suzuki
Vasospasm of the basilar artery in 57 cats was induced by application of
fresh blood, or a blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) mixture incubated at
37 degrees C for 2 to 16 days. In animals treated with fresh blood or
mixtures incubated for over 15 days, the severity of induced
vasoconstriction is slight and duration short. Mixtures incubated 5 to 10
days induced severe and prolonged vasoconstriction. This incubation period
for blood and CSF mixtures inducing severe vasospasm coincides with the
developmental period of vasospasm after the onset of subarachnoid
hemorrhage in our clinical experience. The prolongation of severe
vasoconstriction induced by mixtures incubated for 7 days with clotted
components is definitely greater than one induced by a mixture without
clotted components. This experimental study suggests the existence of a
vasospasmogenic substance in the blood in the subarachnoid space. Activity
begins about 3 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage, increases strongly at 5
to 10 days, and disappears after 15 days.