Adverse Cerebrovascular Effects of Intraarterial CO2 Injections: Development of an In Vitro/In Vivo Model for Assessment of Gas-based Toxicity

Absence of adverse effects after single bolus injections in pigs does not prove the safety of intracranial CO2 injections in human patients. Considering the possible deleterious effects of repeat intravascular injections in the highly sensitive system of the brain, it may be prudent for clinical application at other approved sites to let time pass between boluses sufficient to permit absorption of wall-adherent and coalescent bubbles that could cause gas embolic events.