Morphological changes of the anterior spinal artery during aortic cross-clamping and effect of prostaglandin E1 with perfusion

This investigation was designed to evaluate the morphological changes of anterior spinal artery (ASA) and its reaction to prostaglandinE1 (PGE1) during aortic cross-clamping. ASA during 30 min cross-clamping was observed with charge-coupled device (CCD) and ASA diameter(ASAD) was measured. Group A: Infrarenal aorta was cross-clamped. Group B: Infrarenal aorta was cross-clamped and aorta above the bifurcation was snared. The aortic segment between clamp and snare was perfused with blood. Group C: PGE1 of 100 ng/kg/min was added to perfusate of Group B. The aortic segmental pressures in group B and C were about 30% of the proximal systolic arterial pressure and were significantly higher than distal pressure of group A. After cross-clamping, ASAD decreased about 80% of before cross-clamping in group A. By segmental perfusion of which pressure was about 30% of proximal systolic arterial pressure, ASAD remained almost 90% in group B. By administration of PGE1, ASAD was significantly increased in group C. The changes of ASAD were significantly different between group A and C, and between group B and C. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.