Distinct Alterations in Oxygenation, Ion Composition and Acid-Base Balance in Cerebral Collaterals During Large-Vessel Occlusion Stroke

PURPOSE: Disturbances of blood gas and ion homeostasis including regional hypoxia and massive sodium (Na(+))/potassium (K(+)) shifts are a hallmark of experimental cerebral ischemia but have not been sufficiently investigated for their relevance in stroke patients. METHODS: We report a prospective observational study on 366 stroke patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for large-vessel occlusion (LVO) of the anterior circulation (18 December 2018–31 August 2020). Intraprocedural blood gas samples (1 ml) from within cerebral collateral arteries (ischemic) and matched systemic control samples were obtained according to a prespecified protocol in 51 patients. RESULTS: We observed a significant reduction in cerebral oxygen partial pressure (−4.29%, p(a)O(2ischemic) = 185.3 mm Hg vs. p(a)O(2systemic) = 193.6 mm Hg; p = 0.035) and K(+) concentrations (−5.49%, K(+)(ischemic) = 3.44 mmol/L vs. K(+)(systemic) = 3.64 mmol/L; p = 0.0083). The cerebral Na(+):K(+) ratio was significantly increased and negatively correlated with baseline tissue integrity (r = −0.32, p = 0.031). Correspondingly, cerebral Na(+) concentrations were most strongly correlated with infarct progression after recanalization (r = 0.42, p = 0.0033). We found more alkaline cerebral pH values (+0.14%, pH(ischemic) = 7.38 vs. pH(systemic) = 7.37; p = 0.0019), with a time-dependent shift towards more acidotic conditions (r = −0.36, p = 0.055). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that stroke-induced changes in oxygen supply, ion composition and acid-base balance occur and dynamically progress within penumbral areas during human cerebral ischemia and are related to acute tissue damage. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version of this article (10.1007/s00062-023-01296-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.