Studies in Artificial Peripheral Embolism in the Rabbit

Abstract

In a study for possible means of diminishing the risk of cerebral embolization following mitral valvulotomy, radio-opaque emboli were injected into the left ventricle of the rabbit's heart and the subsequent distribution of the emboli assessed roentgenographically.

The observations may be summarized as follows:

1) ligation of the left carotid artery does not increase the risk of cerebral embolization on the other side;

2) maintenance of the head in a raised position or manual compression of the carotid arteries diminishes the risk of cerebral embolization;

3) combination of the last 2 methods diminishes the risk of cerebral embolization to 2 per cent in comparison with 27 per cent in the control group. No cerebral embolus was found in 4 of 7 animals in this group.