Age-dependent effects of gradual decreases in cerebral perfusion pressure on the neurochemical response in swine.

Objective: There is still a lack of knowledge on the age-dependent relation between a reduction in cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and compromised brain perfusion leading to excessive transmitter release and brain damage cascades. The hypothesis is that an age-dependent lower threshold of cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation determines the amount and time course of transmitter accumulation.

Design And Setting: This was a prospective randomized, blinded animal study performed in a university laboratory involving eight newborn and 11 juvenile anesthetized pigs.