J Korean Neurol Assoc.  1991 Sep;9(3):269-276.

The Effect of Acetazolamide on Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Patients with Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disease

• Lee SS
• Yoon BW
• Roh JK
• Lee SB
• Myung HJ
• Kim SE
• Lee MC

Abstract

Acetazolamide, a selective-inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase. Has been shown to induce a rapid increase in cerebral blood flow by acidifying cerebral extracellular tluid in large doses. In order to assess the cerebral blood flow reserve, we investigated 14 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease using Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT before and after administration of acetazolamide.The patients after acetazolamide challenge showed variable pattems of vasodilating capacity which were classified as follows: group I. Accentuation of abnormal perfusion pattem; group II, no change in abnormal perfusion pattern: and group III. Blunting of abnormal perfusion pattern. Thirty-six percent of the patients studied qualified for group I. The p?tients in group I seem to have decreased vasodilating reserve in the area of cerebral ischemia. They are most likely to benefit by medical or surgical efforts to augment CBF delivery. Tc-99m HMPAO-SPECT with acetazolamide flow challenge may serve as an objective. Clinically accessible method for assessing blood flow reserve and as a kind of guide for the therapeutic strategy.

MeSH Terms

Acetazolamide*
Brain Ischemia
Carbonic Anhydrases
Humans
Perfusion
Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime
Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
Acetazolamide
Carbonic Anhydrases
Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime