Establishment of cerebral perfusion in a rat model with extracorporeal life support

Background: Extracorporeal life support echniques as an Adjunct to Advanced Cardiac Life Support is usually suitable for complex heart surgery such as cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Cerebral perfusion is a clinically feasible neuroprotective strategy; however, the lack of a reliable small animal model. Methods: Based on the rat model of ECLS we evaluate the effects of ECLS-CP using HE staining, Nissl staining, TUNEL staining and ELISA. Result: We found that ECLS combined with the cerebral perfusion model did not cause brain injury and immune inflammation. There was no difference between the two by a left carotid artery or right carotid artery CP. Conclusion: These experimental results can provide the experimental basis for selecting blood vessels for ECLS patients and clinical CP to offers a trustworthy animal model for future exploration of applying brain perfusion strategies during ECLS-CP.