External Carotid Artery Territory Ischemia Impairs Outcome in the Endovascular Filament Model of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rats

Abstract

Filament MCAO was complicated by the consequences of ECA ischemia in approximately half of all rats. Impaired mastication and swallowing functions restricted ingestion and resulted in postsurgical body weight loss and worse motor performance. Impaired cerebral microperfusion resulting from dehydration and reduced spontaneous motor activity resulting from reduced food and water uptake might have contributed to poorer neurological recovery in ECA ischemic rats. Thus, adverse effects caused by extracerebral ischemia with potential impact on outcome have to be considered in this stroke model.