Assessment of parameters influencing the blood flow velocities in cerebral arteries of the rat using ultrasonographic examination

Abstract Objectives: Rat models of cerebrovascular diseases are used for a variety of human pathologies comprising ischemic stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Whereas in neuro-intensive care, Doppler ultrasonographic examination of major cerebral arteries is a common diagnostic tool, only few data exist concerning the animal model. We therefore studied cerebral blood flow velocities in the rat by ultrasonographic triplex mode. Methods: Female Wistar rats underwent a large craniectomy and baseline values for blood flow velocities were obtained by 399 examinations in 52 animals. Vessel diameters were assessed by 301 examinations in 39 animals. Finally, in 26 animals, continuous measurements of blood flow velocities were performed. For a duration of more than 30 minutes, values in the anterior trunk, the left carotid artery and the basilar artery were obtained every 60-90 seconds with simultaneous detection of heart rate. Results: Blood flow velocities in the anterior part of cerebral circulation were faster...