Cerebral Circulation and Metabolism in Uremia

Data on 16 patients with uremia are presented. The cerebral blood flow was moderately decreased in patients with generalized vascular disease, but was normal in patients with minimal vascular involvement. In both groups the cerebral oxygen consumption (cerebral metabolic rate in terms of oxygen consumption, CMRO2) was reduced significantly and to the same degree. In contrast, total body metabolism was not demonstrably reduced. These facts emphasize the vulnerability of the brain to uremia. There was poor correlation between the cerebral oxygen utilization and the patient's mental state. No correlation was found between the cerebral oxygen consumption and the blood nonprotein nitrogen, the carbon dioxide capacity, or the sodium, potassium or chloride levels.