Experimental study of relationship between cerebral vasospasm and clearance rate of red blood cell in cerebral spinal fluid following subarachnoid hemorrhage

Objective: Investigation of the clearance rate of RBC in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) after lumbar subarachnoid space continuous drainage following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and the relationship with cerebral vasospasm (CVS) were carried out. Methods: An experimental SAH was achieved in dogs by twice injecting fresh autologous arterial blood into cisterna magna of each animal. RBC counts in CSF were measured in the drainage group, puncture group and control group respectively. The degrees of CVS were analyzed through cerebral angiography (% reduction of basilar artery diameter, %RBAD). Results: Comparing with puncture group and control group, the drainage group showed a significantly higher clearance rate of RBC with lesser occurrence and degree of CVS. Conclusions: RBC and its degeneratives in CSF may be involved in the process of CVS following experimental SAH. Continuous lumbar subarachnoid space drainage may prevent CVS