Experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) was produced in adult cats by injection of autologous blood(6 ml) into the prepontine cistern by transclival approach and cisterna magna.
The animals were sacrificed 1,3,5,7 or 14 days later and basilar artery segments were prepared for electron microscopy.
The following observations were made:
1. 1 to 7 days after SAH, electron micrograph showed round-shaped endothelial cells in tunica intima and disappearance of zonular occuludens. Endothelial detachment from internal elastic menbrane and intracytoplasmic vacuolation of endothelial cells as well as destruction of mitochondrial cristae in tunica media.
2. 14 days after SAH, electron micrography showed the normal findings in tunica intima and tunica media of the vessel walls.
On the basis of the above findings, we found that the ultrastructural changes in the basilar arterial wall, which had presumably developed as a consequence of experimental SAH were reversible.
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