Objective: To monitor the changes in the blood flow and blood-oxygen content in rat cerebral tissue with focal cerebral infarction using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), so as to verify the value of NIRS in early diagnosis of cerebral infarction.
Methods: Focal cerebral infarction models were established in 16 rats by injecting silk threads into the internal carotid artery. The bilateral blood flow and blood-oxygen content were monitored with NIRS in the models and also in 16 normal rats receiving saline injection to serve as blank control group.
Results: Focal cerebral infarction in rats caused the decrement in blood-oxygen content and the increase in blood flow. No changes were observed in the control group after saline injection (P >0.05).
Conclusion: In the earlier stages of focal cerebral infarction, blood-oxygen decreases while blood flow increases in the infarcted area. NIRS provides real-time, non-invasive monitoring of blood volume and blood-oxygen content in the cerebral tissue.