Invasive intracranial arterial pressure monitoring during endovascular cerebral aneurysms embolization for cerebral perfusion evaluation.

The purpose of the study was to define a method of estimation of cerebral blood flow by a determination of parameters of the hemodynamics during neuroendovascular procedures. Materials and Methods. Extracranial and intracranial mean arterial pressure (MAP) was invasively monitored with the help of a transducing system during an endovascular coiling procedure in 19 patients. The measurements were performed at the tip of the guiding catheter and microcatheter placed into internal carotid artery (ICA) C1 segments and of the microcatheter placed into C4 ICA segments, at different stages of the aneurysm repair. Results. As measured, the diameter of the ICA in the C1 and C4 segments did not differ substantially. MAP in the ICA was determined to be 91.2 ± 9.6 mmHg in the skull cavity, and 102.4 ± 6.3 mmHg outside of the skull cavity, with an average difference of 9.2 ± 3.0 mmHg. Conclusion. The difference in MAP, as measured in the ICA outside and inside the skull cavity, was ascribed to the influence of intracranial pressure. Further investigation is required to check the accuracy of invasive intra-arterial pressure recording for an objective and direct measurement of the cerebral perfusion in reference to the intracranial pressure level.