Recovery of Hypoxic Regions in a Rat Model of Microembolism

Objectives: Endovascular treatment (EVT) has become the standard of care for acute ischemic stroke. Despite successful recanalization, a limited subset of patients benefits from the new treatment. Human MRI studies have shown that during removal of the thrombus, a shower of microclots is released from the initial thrombus, possibly causing new ischemic lesions. The aim of the current study is to quantify tissue damage following microembolism. Materials and methods: In a rat model, microembolism was generated by injection of a mixture of polystyrene fluorescent microspheres (15, 25 and 50 mu m in diameter). The animals were killed at three time-points: day 1, 3 or 7. AMIRA and IMARIS software was used for 3D reconstruction of brain structure and damage, respectively. Conclusions: Microembolism induces ischemia, hypoxia and infarction. Infarcted areas persist, but hypoxic regions recover over time suggesting that repair processes in the brain rescue the regions at risk.

Automated summary

The study found that microembolism can lead to ischemia, hypoxia, and infarction, but hypoxic regions can recover over time. This indicates that repair processes in the brain can rescue areas at risk.