Cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity after aneurysm rupture. Recently, R-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel (VDCC) expression has been associated with increased cerebral artery constriction in a rabbit model of SAH. The goal of the present study was to examine whether the blood component oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) can mimic the ability of SAH to cause R-type VDCC expression in the cerebral vasculature.
