Regional dynamic cerebral autoregulation across anterior and posterior circulatory territories: A detailed exploration and its clinical implications

Abstract

Cerebral autoregulation (CA) is the mechanism that maintains stable cerebral blood flow (CBF) despite fluctuations in systemic blood pressure, crucial for brain homeostasis. Recent evidence highlights distinct regional variations in CA between the anterior (carotid) and posterior (vertebrobasilar) circulations. Non-invasive neuromonitoring techniques, such as transcranial Doppler, transfer function analysis, and near-infrared spectroscopy, facilitate the dynamic assessment of CBF and autoregulation. Studies indicate a robust autoregulatory capacity in the anterior circulation, characterized by rapid adjustments in vascular resistance. On the contrary, the posterior circulation, mainly supplied by the vertebral arteries, may have a lower autoregulatory capacity. in acute brain injuries such as intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage, and traumatic brain injuries, dynamic CA can be significantly altered in the posterior circulation. Proposed physiological mechanisms of impaired CA in the posterior circulation include: (1) Decreased sympathetic innervation of the vasculature impairing compensatory vasoreactivity; (2) Endothelial dysfunction; (3) Increased cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption within the visual cortex causing CBF-metabolism (i.e. , neurovascular) uncoupling, and (4) impaired blood-brain barrier integrity leading to impaired astrocytic mediated release of vasoactive substances (e.g. nitric oxide, potassium, and calcium ions). Furthermore, more research is needed on the effects of collateral circulation, as well as the circle of Willis variants, such as the fetal-type posterior cerebral artery, on dynamic CA. Improving our understanding of these mechanisms is crucial to improving the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of various cerebrovascular disorders.