Carotid-internal Jugular Anastomosis in the Rhesus Monkey

Abstract

Anastomosis of the internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein was performed in 38 animals. The purpose of the expts. was to learn whether such anastomoses might improve the intracranial circulation in certain pathological conditions. The effect of the operation was studied by angiograms and by measuring the oxygen tension in the superior sagittal sinus, contralateral jugular vein and femoral artery before and after the anastomosis. The authors conclude that, after a carotid-internal jugular shunt, the blood does not flow into the sagittal, straight or petrosal sinuses for distribution by retrograde flow. Rather, the increased blood in the internal jugular seeks a ready exit through the basilar veins and lateral sinuses as well as the neck veins.