Finite Element Modelling of heat exchange in the stroke-affected brain during therapeutic hypothermia

Thomas Lillicrap*, Murat Tahtali, Andrew Neely, Christian Lueck, Xiaofei Wang

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    Abstract

    Hypothermia is a promising neuroprotectant for the treatment of ischaemic stroke. Current trials of hypothermia rely on cooled blood to reduce the temperature of ischaemic brain tissue. However, since blood flow to the ischaemic brain tissue is compromised, there is likely to be spatial variation in the rate and level of cooling accomplished by cooled blood in this tissue. Finite Element Modelling was used to investigate variation the effectiveness of tissue cooling as a result of spatial variations in cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate. These factors were found to affect the absolute level of tissue cooling achievable, but not the rate of cooling. This study suggests that pharmaceutical reduction of cerebral metabolic rate may improve the effectiveness of current cooling techniques by minimising spatial variation in brain temperature as a result of impaired blood flow, thereby potentially improving patient outcome.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAdvances in Applied Mechanics Research, Conference Proceedings - 7th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics, ACAM 2012
    PublisherNational Committee on Applied Mechanics
    Pages657-667
    Number of pages11
    ISBN (Print)9781922107619
    Publication statusPublished - 2012
    Event7th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics, ACAM 2012 - Adelaide, SA, Australia
    Duration: 9 Dec 201212 Dec 2012

    Publication series

    NameAdvances in Applied Mechanics Research, Conference Proceedings - 7th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics, ACAM 2012

    Conference

    Conference7th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics, ACAM 2012
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    CityAdelaide, SA
    Period9/12/1212/12/12

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