Oscillating Cerebral Blood Volume: The Origin of B-Waves

Abstract

Lundberg, in his comprehensive description of ventricular fluid pressure measurements in patients, described rhythmic pressure variations with a frequency of 2-0.5/min. at normal and increased ICP (Lundberg 1960); these oscillations, called “B-waves”, were observed only under pathological circumstances and hence considered as clinically relevant even when observed at normal ICP-levels. Searching for the origin of these rhythms, a connection with changes of cerebrovascular resistance during intracranial hypertension was suggested (Symon et al. 1972, Sørensen et al. 1980).