Study Of Relation Of Body Temperature To Cerebrovascular Stroke Severity And Outcome

Abstract

There are few studies dealing with the effects of body temperature on the course and outcome of the patients with cereberovascular surgery, hypothermia improved the ability of the brain to survive the stress of ischemia as well as the progno<>is in these patients (Marion et a!, 1993).

The outcome of focal and global cerebral ischemia in experimental animals was found to be affected by alteration in body temperature. Mild hypothermia for about 2-6°C protected the brain from ischemic injury and improved post. ischemic neurological function and outcome. Where as mild hyperthermia for 2°C exaggerated ischemic injury and worsen the prognosis (Wass and Lanier, 1996).

It is possible that the brain with its high metabolic rate expenences mild hyperthermia independent of systemic temperature during the period of increased risk for ischemic injury (Wass eta!, 1995). Todd and Warner, 1992 found that hypothermia reduces energy consumption, decreases cerebral metabolic rate and every 1oc drop in body temperature was associated with 8% decrease in cerebral 02 consumption. On the other hand Metz et a!, 1996 reported that hyperthermia increases lactate production and enhances neuronal death.

Mechanisms by which mild temperature changes can affect outcome of cereberovascular stroke include alteration in membrane stability, temperature induced ion homeostasis and neurotransmitter