An Experimental Approach to the Problem of Cerebral Aneurysm

Abstract

HE somewhat unsatisfactory results obtained by extravascular occlusion and exclusion of cerebral aneurysms, together with occasional evidence of satisfactory spontaneous intravascular thrombosis, have led us to consider the possibility of controlled intravascular thrombosis. Such controlled thrombosis should be carried out early if we aim to avoid the mortality of recurrent hemorrhage. The method should be a simple one, for the brain will not tolerate extensive surgery in this early period after hemorrhage. We therefore visualized access to the aneurysm by means of a cannula or needle introduced through a burr hole. Having experimented unsuccessfully with local injury to the arterial wall (beta necrosis) which was supplemented by intravascular injection of sticky platclcts (with excess of thrombin), 4 and hypcrcoagulable serum (serum obtained from freshly clotted blood)9 in an attempt to induce thrombosis in the canine femoral artery, we turned to an investigation of alterations that might be produced by an electric current.