Neuro Flashcards
With an arteriovenous malformation, blood flow regulation is missing and can lead to (what 2 complications). This problem can also occur in (what tissue relative to the AVM).
Complications: - Vasogenic edema and hemorrhage - the tissue adjacent to the AVM.
Maintenance of Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) is extremely important because: 1. __________ 2. __________
- The brain has minimal capacity to store O2 2. There is a high metabolic demand and a high rate of O2 consumption
What can be used to prevent vasospasm after subarachnoid bleeds?
Calcium-channel blockers
Describe the terms “coupling” and “uncoupling” as they relate to volatile anesthetic concentration, CBF, and CMRO2.
With coupling, increases in the MAC up to 1 will result in a decrease of both CBF and CMRO2. With uncoupling, at greater than 1 MAC further increases in MAC will result in the same CMRO2 but an increase in CBF.
Name one “unpaired artery” essential for connection to circle of willis to vertebral arteries.

Basilar artery
The following nervous system cells are associated with what functions:
Astrocytes __________________
Ependymal cells ______________________
Microglia _________________
Oligodendrocytes________________________
Schwann cells _____________________
Astrocytes - metabolic & nutritive functions, provide support for the neurons, “feet” project out and terminate on blood vessels which may play a role in the BBB.
Ependymal cells - CSF production
Microglia - phagocytosis within the CNS (cleaning crew for neurons)
Oligodendrocytes - myelin sheath formation in CNS
Schwann cells - Myelin sheath formation in PNS

Benzodiazepines will ________ CBF and CMR to a lesser extent than barbituates.
Decrease
With carotid endartectomy, post-operative wound hematoma is typically precipitated by_________.
Hypertension
Diuretics which can be utilized to decrease ICP include:
- _______
- _______
- _______
- _______
Diuretics which can be utilized to decrease ICP include:
- mannitol
- hypertonic saline
- acetazolamide (Diamox)
- Furosemide (Lasix)
With an ICP > _____\_, CPP, and CBF can be compromised even with a normal map
30 mmHg
For the average adult, the normal rate of cerebral blood flow is ________ml/___g of brain tissue/min:: (ml/g/min) which is about ______ml/min
50ml/100g of brain tissue/min
700-750 ml/min
Direct vasodilators (such as nipride, nitroglycerin, and hydralazine) can ______ CBV and ICP.
Increase!
*** They will dilate cerebral vessels, their use is cautioned against with neurosurgical procedures or head trauma cases.
The following physiologic/pathophysiologic states can cause depression of the EEG.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The following physiologic/pathophysiologic states can cause depression of the EEG.
1. hypocapnea
2. marked hypercapnea
3. hypothermia
4. hypoxia (late)
5. ischemia
Describe the concepts of ‘Robin Hood phenomenon’ and circulatory steal phenomenon with regard to volatile anesthetics, CBF, and CMRO2.
Normal brain tissue is able to vasoconstrict/dilate normally, while ischemic brain tissue cannot!
WIth circulatory steal, increases in blood flow (due to uncoupling aka luxury perfusion caused by volatile anesthetics > 1 MAC), the blood is redistributed to normal areas but away from ischemic areas (they are already maximally dilated)
Robin hood phenomenon is the inverse of this. Cerebral vasoconstriction (which can be caused by barbituates) causes a decrease in flow to normal areas of the brain and an increase in flow to ischemic areas.
A CPP of (what range) mmHg can show a (what effect) EEG and may result in irreversible brain damage.
25-40 mmHg
a flat
A functionally closed but not anatomically closed foramen ovale is present in approximately _____% of the population.
30%
A MAP (range) _____mmhg can disrupt the BBB causing edema and hemorrhage.
MAP > 150-160mmHg
A normal ICP is ______ mmHg and anything_____ mmHg is considered intracranial hypertension.
5-15mmHG - normal
> 15 - intracranial HTN
A paradoxical air embolism is when _____ enters ______ circulation and travels through a patent foramen ovale to the arterial side.
Air enters venous circulation and travels through a patent foramen ovale to the arterial side.
Adequate brain relaxation can be achieved through the following methods:
1) _______
2) _______
3) _______
4) _______
Adequate brain relaxation can be achieved through the following methods:
1) sub-MAC (<1) volatile anesthesia &/or TIVA
2) Mild to moderate hyperventilation
3) Minimize cerebral/tumor edema – dexamethasone, mannitol, hypertonic saline
4) Prevent venous congestion –> minimize excessive flexion/rotation of the neck
Albumin use following head trauma may lead to (_____ mortality rates and _____ outcomes). The reasons for this is that ______.
Albumin use may lead to higher mortality and unfavorable outcomes. The reasons for this is that rapid restoration of intravascular volume can lead to cerebral edema.
Although all anesthetics have some effect, ____ anesthetics have the greatest influence on SSEPs.
Volatile
An intracranial approach rather than a transphenoidal approach is used for pituitary tumors > _____ (size)mm.
> 10mm for pituitary tumors
At what point does ICP impact CBF, and how is CBF impacted at this point?
> _____ mmHg?
An ICP > 30mmHg will dramatically decrease CBF













