Why is CBF important?
Most of the efforts of neurovascular patient care are directed toward the maintenance of a level of CBF consistent with cell life and subsequent cell function. The heterogeneity of the cerebrovascular system has repeatedly demonstrated an inability to apply assumptions based on past experience to individual patient conditions. The heterogeneity also invalidates many indirect measurements of CBF such as ICP, CPP and TCD. Individual patient care must be based on knowledge of quantitative CBF prior to therapeutic manipulation and again after treatment to determine the actual effect. Assumptions about CBF and the CBF after manipulation will be wrong in a significant number of patients. CBF can be measured quantitatively and repeatedly with Xenon CT. Neurovascular problems require patient specific management to optimize outcome.
