Characterization of cerebral macro- and microvascular hemodynamics during transient hypotension

The aim of the current study was to establish the interplay between blood flow patterns within a large cerebral artery and a downstream microvascular segment under conditions of transiently reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP). We report data from nine young, healthy participants (5 women; 26 ± 4 yr) acquired during a 15-s bout of sudden-onset lower body negative pressure (LBNP; −80 mmHg). Simultaneous changes in microvascular cerebral blood flow (CBF) and middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv(mean)) were captured using diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) and transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD), respectively. Brachial blood pressure (finger photoplethysmography) and TCD waveforms were extracted at baseline and during the nadir blood pressure (BP) response to LBNP and analyzed using a modified Windkessel model to calculate indices of cerebrovascular resistance (Ri) and compliance (Ci). Compared with baseline, rapid-onset LBNP decreased MAP by 22 ± 16% and Ri by 14 ± 10% (both P ≤ 0.03). Ci increased (322 ± 298%; P < 0.01) but MCAv(mean) (−8 ± 16%; P = 0.09) and CBF (−2 ± 3%; P = 0.29) were preserved. The results provide evidence that changes in both vascular resistance and compliance preserve CBF, as indexed by no significant changes in MCAv(mean) or DCS microvascular flow, during transient hypotension. NEW & NOTEWORTHY To characterize the relationship between cerebrovascular patterns within the large middle cerebral artery (MCA) and a downstream microvascular segment, we used a novel combination of transcranial Doppler ultrasound of the MCA and optical monitoring of a downstream microvascular segment, respectively, under conditions of transiently reduced mean arterial pressure (i.e., lower body negative pressure, −80 mmHg). A rapid increase in vessel compliance accompanied the maintenance of MCA blood velocity and downstream microvascular flow.