Effects of selective head cooling on cerebral blood flow and metabolism in newborn piglets after hypoxia–ischemia

AimThe effect of selective head cooling on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolism rate (CMR) was investigated in newborn piglets.MethodsSeven days old newborn piglets were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: Selective head cooling in normal piglets (n = 4), selective head cooling after HI (n = 6) and normal temperature after HI (n = 6). CBF was measured with color microspheres. Cerebral oxygenation metabolism rate (CMRO2), Cerebral glucose consumption (CMRGlu) and Cerebral lactate production (CMRlac) were calculated.ResultIn normal piglets, CBF, CMRO2 and CMRglu were significantly decreased at both 35 °C (P < 0.05) and 32 °C (P < 0.01), while CMRlac did not change. Compared to baseline, CBF and CMRO2 were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), while CMRglu and CMRlac were significantly increased (P < 0.01), AVDO2 was decreased (P < 0.05), while AVDglu and AVDlac were significantly increased (P < 0.01 respectively) in HI piglets with normal temperature respectively. Compared to normal temperature after HI, selective head cooling after HI significantly reduced CMRglu and CMRlac, and AVDO2, AVDglu, AVDlac were improved at 35 °C.ConclusionSelective head cooling not only reduced energy consumption, but also improve brain oxygen metabolism in newborn after HI.