The Circle of Willis in Cryonics Perfusion

could exit through the basilar artery (the vertebrals) instead
of through the cerebral arteries. Vascular resistance
in the body is reportedly only one quarter what it is in the
brain. Clamping the vertebral arteries (as is done during
Alcor neuro perfusions) could prevent this problem.
Blood flowing into the basilar artery need not be pushing
all of the blood in the body, however, because arteries —
and especially veins — have a large reserve capacity (a
balloon-like ability to expand).
Possibly the reserve capacity of the brain would allow
blood to flow into the brain as readily as into the body.
Blood has about three times the viscosity of water, and
vitrification solution has about twice the viscosity of
blood. Viscosity will increase vascular resistance in all
blood vessels, but the effect would be greater in the brain.
The “no reflow” phenomenon would also create resistance
in the blood vessels, which again might be greater
in the brain than in the body.
Prior to the use of vitrification solution, the Cryonics Institute
only perfused cryonics patients through the carotid
arteries — there was no attempt to perfuse into the vertebral
arteries. Nonetheless, dehydration was seen in the
patients, and adequate effluent flow was seen from the
jugular veins. Perfusion pressures were reportedly not
excessive.
Currently, CI’s funeral director has been opening the
chest (median sternotomy), and attempting to clamp the
subclavian arteries, as well as the descending aorta, to
perfuse into the ascending aorta. In several cases the ascending
aorta has been perforated, forcing higher cannulations
or the subclavians have been difficult to cannulate
after having opened the chest. Our funeral director refused
to open the chest at all for a known case of Methacillin-
Resistant Staphylococcus Aureas (MRSA).
It would be preferable if a case could be made for perfusing
all CI patients only through the carotids. Carotid-only
has been recommended for vitrification perfusions overseas,
as well as for glycerol perfusions in post-mortem
sign-ups. Whether vitrification solution perfusion into the
carotids can acheive adequate perfusion pressure in the
brain — and whether adequate perfusion pressure can be
verified by the observation of effluent from the jugular
veins remains unresolved.
It should not be too difficult to clamp the vertebral arteries by
cutting near the clavicle, as CI’s funeral director did when CI
began the attempt to perfuse the vertebrals as well as the carotid
arteries. Nonetheless, this would result in failure to perfuse portions
of the brain supplied by the posterior cerebral arteries in
the 10-15% of patients who are missing both posterior communicating
arteries.
13
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes
age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about
them. That is why you pay 'them'
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you
down
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer,
crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle.
'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
4. Enjoy the simple things
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp
for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person, who is with us our entire life, is
ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether
it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies,
whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it
is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can
improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even
to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT
to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at
every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we
take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who
cares! But do share this with someone. We all need
to live life to its fullest each day!! Worry about nothing,
pray about everything--Submitted by Debbie
Fleming