Fatal severe vasospasm due to rewarming following hypothermia--case report. (17/402)

A 37-year-old female died of cerebral vasospasm as a complication of rewarming following hypothermia therapy for severe head injury. She presented with severe consciousness disturbance and anisocoria after falling down a flight of stairs. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a right acute subdural hematoma and temporal contusion. Following surgery, mild hypothermia was started and rewarming was completed by the 11th day. Neurological examination showed no abnormalities, but intracranial pressure (ICP) suddenly increased and she manifested anisocoria on the 13th day. Repeat CT revealed a low density area in the right middle cerebral artery region and cerebral angiography showed diffuse narrowing of the main arterial trunks. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample was collected using an intraventricular ICP monitoring catheter. The CSF level of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine was elevated during the rewarming period, indicating substantial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) oxidation. She died on the 15th day due to uncontrollable ICP. Histological examination at autopsy of the narrowed artery found the waving phenomenon in the internal elastic lamina and invasion of inflammatory cells into the adventitia. These findings constitute the possible evidence that free-radical-mediated oxidative DNA damage may be important in the genesis of severe vasospasm due to rewarming following hypothermia.  (+info)

Vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage: diagnosis with MR angiography. (18/402)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The possibility of treating intracranial vasospasm has increased the significance of its diagnosis and follow-up; however, so far, no ideal method is available. The goal of this study was to assess the accuracy of MR angiography versus intraarterial angiography (IA-DSA) in detecting vasospasm. METHODS: The study included 42 patients with acute spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Serial MR angiograms (minimum, two per patient within 10 days after the event; total, 149) were obtained prospectively using a 3D time-of-flight technique covering the circle of Willis at 0.5 T. Forty-seven MR angiograms could be compared with intraarterial angiograms obtained within 24 hours of MR angiography. Vascular narrowing on both studies was rated consensually by two pairs of neuroradiologists using a scale from 0 (no narrowing) to 3 (severe narrowing). Categories 0 and 1 were considered an absence of vasospasm and categories 2 and 3 a presence of vasospasm. RESULTS: Agreement between MR angiography and IA-DSA (assessed with weighted kappa statistics) was substantial for the middle and anterior cerebral arteries (MCA and ACA) but moderate for the internal carotid artery (ICA). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of MR angiography for detecting patients with vasospasm were 92%, 98%, 96%, 92%, and 98%, respectively. Considering each vessel separately, specificity was high for all locations (95-99%) and sensitivity was excellent for the ACA (100%) but poorer for the ICA (25%) and MCA (56%). CONCLUSION: MR angiography at 0.5 T is capable of identifying vasospasm after acute SAH but is less sensitive than IA-DSA for depicting vasospasm in the ICA and MCA.  (+info)

Effects of hemoglobin on heme oxygenase gene expression and viability of cultured smooth muscle cells. (19/402)

Ferrous Hb contributes to cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage, although the mechanisms involved are uncertain. The hypothesis that cytotoxic effects of ferrous Hb on smooth muscle cells contribute to vasospasm was assessed. Cultured rat basilar artery smooth muscle cells were exposed to pure Hb, dog erythrocyte hemolysate, or Hb breakdown products; and heme oxygenase (HO-1 and HO-2) and ferritin mRNA and protein were measured. Cytotoxicity was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase release and fluorescence assays. Pure Hb or hemolysate caused dose- and time-dependent increases in HO-1 mRNA and protein. Hemin was the component of Hb that increased HO-1 mRNA. Cycloheximide inhibited the increase in HO-1 mRNA in response to hemin. Ferritin protein heavy chain but not mRNA increased upon exposure of cells to Hb. Hemin and ferric but not ferrous Hb were toxic to smooth muscle cells. Toxicity was increased by exposure to Hb plus tin protoporphyrin IX. In conclusion, exposure of smooth muscle cells to Hb induces HO-1 mRNA and protein through pathways that involve new protein synthesis. Hemin is the component of Hb that induces HO-1. Hemin and ferric but not ferrous Hb are toxic.  (+info)

Gene transfer of calcitonin gene-related peptide prevents vasoconstriction after subarachnoid hemorrhage. (20/402)

We sought to determine whether adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in vivo of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a potent vasodilator, ameliorates cerebral vasoconstriction after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Arterial blood was injected into the cisterna magna of rabbits to mimic SAH 5 days after injection of AdRSVCGRP (8x10(8) pfu), AdRSVbetagal (control virus), or vehicle. After injection of AdRSVCGRP, there was a 400-fold increase in CGRP in cerebrospinal fluid. Contraction of the basilar artery to serotonin in vitro was greater in rabbits after SAH than after injection of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (P<0.001). Contraction to serotonin was less in rabbits with SAH after AdRSVCGRP than after AdRSVbetagal or vehicle (P:<0.02). Basal diameter of the basilar artery before SAH (measured with digital subtraction angiogram) was 13% greater in rabbits treated with AdRSVCGRP than in rabbits treated with vehicle or AdRSVbetagal (P:<0.005). In rabbits treated with vehicle or AdRSVbetagal, arterial diameter after SAH was 25+/-3% smaller than before SAH (P<0.0005). In rabbits treated with AdRSVCGRP, arterial diameter was similar before and after SAH and was reduced by 19+/-3% (P<0.01) after intracisternal injection of CGRP-(8-37) (0.5 nmol/kg), a CGRP(1) receptor antagonist. To determine whether gene transfer of CGRP after SAH may prevent cerebral vasoconstriction, we constructed a virus with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, which results in rapid expression of the transgene product. Treatment of rabbits with AdCMVCGRP after experimental SAH prevented constriction of the basilar artery 2 days after SAH. Thus, gene transfer of CGRP prevents cerebral vasoconstriction in vivo after experimental SAH.  (+info)

Oxidative degradation of bilirubin produces vasoactive compounds. (21/402)

Subarachnoid haemorrhage is often followed by haemolysis and concomitant oxidative stress, and is frequently complicated by pathological vasoconstriction or cerebral vasospasm. It is known that upregulation of haem oxygenase (HO-1) is induced by oxidative stress and results in release of biliverdin and bilirubin (BR), which are scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we report biomimetic studies aimed at modelling pathological conditions leading to oxidative degradation of BR. Oxidative degradation products of BR, formed by reaction with hydrogen peroxide (an ROS model system), demonstrated biological activity by stimulating oxygen consumption and force development in vascular smooth muscle from porcine carotid artery. Analogous biological activity was observed with vasoactive cerebrospinal fluid from subarachnoid haemorrhage patients. Three degradation products of BR were isolated: two were assigned as isomeric monopyrrole (C9H11N2O2) derivatives, 4-methyl-5-oxo-3-vinyl-(1, 5-dihydropyrrol-2-ylidene)acetamide and 3-methyl-5-oxo-4-vinyl-(1, 5-dihydropyrrol-2-ylidene)acetamide and the third was 4-methyl-3-vinylmaleimide (MVM), a previously isolated photodegradation product of biliverdin. Possible mechanisms of oxidative degradation of BR are discussed. Tentative assignment of these structures in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of cerebral vasospasm patients has been made. It is proposed that one or more of the degradation products of biliverdin or bilirubin are involved in complications such as vasospasm and or pathological vasoconstriction associated with haemorrhage.  (+info)

Relaxant effect of U0126 in hemolysate-, oxyhemoglobin-, and bloody cerebrospinal fluid-induced contraction in rabbit basilar artery. (22/402)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It has been suggested that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is involved in cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The present study was undertaken to explore the inhibitory effect of U0126, a novel MAPK inhibitor, in the contraction of the rabbit basilar artery by 3 spasmogens: hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, and bloody cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with vasospasm. METHODS: The contraction and relaxation of rabbit basilar arteries were measured by isometric tension. MAPK immunoprecipitation was assessed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: (1) Pretreatment of the rabbit basilar arteries with U0126 reduced contractions to hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, or bloody CSF applied subsequently. (2) In the absence of endothelial cells, U0126 produced an inhibitory effect similar to the contractions induced by hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, or bloody CSF. (3) U0126 relaxed the sustained contraction induced by hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, or bloody CSF. (4) Hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, and bloody CSF enhanced MAPK immunoprecipitation. (5) U0126 reduced MAPK immunoprecipitation induced by hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, and bloody CSF. (6) Hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, and bloody CSF significantly increased MAPK activity in the rabbit basilar artery. (7) U0126 abolished the effect of hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, or bloody CSF on MAPK activation. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a role of MAPK in the contraction of rabbit basilar arteries by hemolysate, oxyhemoglobin, and bloody CSF. MAPK inhibitor U0126 may be useful in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm.  (+info)

Quantitative analysis of gene expressions related to inflammation in canine spastic artery after subarachnoid hemorrhage. (23/402)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The possible role of inflammatory reaction of the cerebral artery in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm has been noted in recent studies. We quantitatively measured the levels of expression of genes related to inflammation in the spastic artery in a canine double-hemorrhage model. METHODS: Twenty dogs were assigned to 4 groups: group D0, control; group D2, dogs killed 2 days after cisternal injection of blood; group D7, dogs given double cisternal injections of blood and killed 7 days after the first injection; and group D14. Angiography was performed twice: on the first day and before the animals were killed. Total RNA was extracted from the basilar artery. The expressions of interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, E-secretin, fibronectin, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, transforming growth factor-ss, basic fibroblast growth factor, and collagen types I, III, and IV were examined with TaqMan real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Prolonged arterial narrowing peaking on 7 day was observed. There was a significant difference in vessel caliber between D0, D2, D7, and D14 groups (P:<0.0001). There were significant differences in mRNA expression in the basilar artery for IL-1alpha, IL-6, IL-8, ICAM-1, and collagen type I between D0, D2, D7, and D14 groups (P:=0.0079, 0. 0196, 0.0040, 0.0017, and <0.0001, respectively). The average level of mRNA was highest in D7 for IL-1alpha, IL-6, IL-8, and ICAM-1 (17-, 16-, 131-, and 1.7-fold compared with those of D0, respectively) and in D14 for collagen type I (10.9-fold). CONCLUSIONS: Increased expression of genes related to inflammation in the spastic artery suggests that inflammatory reaction of the cerebral artery is associated with sustained contraction.  (+info)

Inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase attenuates cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits. (24/402)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is important in modulating inflammation, which has been implicated in cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We investigated the role of PARP in vasospasm using 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB), a PARP inhibitor, in a rabbit model. METHODS: Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits were divided into 4 groups: (1) no treatment (control group, n=6); (2) blood injection without pretreatment (SAH-only group, n=6); (3) blood injection with pretreatment by vehicle (SAH+vehicle group, n=6); and (4) blood injection with pretreatment by 3-AB (SAH+3-AB group, n=6). We used the single-hemorrhage model of SAH, injecting autologous arterial blood into the cisterna magna. Angiography was performed before (baseline) and after (day 2) SAH, and the diameter of the basilar artery (BA) was measured. Animals were euthanatized after the second angiogram. After perfusion and fixation, the brains were cut into sections for hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining for poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. RESULTS: In the control group, there were no differences in the BA lumen caliber between baseline and day 2 (96.8+/-10.4%). Cerebral vasospasm in the SAH+3-AB group (88.2+/-6. 2%) was remarkably attenuated in comparison with that in the SAH-only group (64.9+/-8.0%) and the SAH+vehicle group (65.6+/-10. 8%). The BA in the SAH+3-AB group showed less corrugation of the tunica elastica interna than that in the SAH-only and SAH+vehicle groups. Staining for poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation was markedly inhibited in smooth muscle and adventitial cells of the BA in the SAH+3-AB group compared with other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibiting ADP-ribosylation attenuates cerebral vasospasm after SAH in rabbits, and PARP activation may play an important role in the development of cerebral vasospasm.  (+info)