Syllabus · Current · V5 (2025) · Nervous System including autonomic and pain

H2 · Nervous System Physiology

H2.ii · Cerebral & Spinal Blood Flow

Official V5 objective
Describe the regulation of the cerebral and spinal cord circulations.
1 SAQ topic 7 SAQ appearances 16 VIVA stations

Written examination

SAQ history

7 appearances
(a) List the normal parameters for cerebral blood flow (5% of marks). (b) Describe the physiological factors that influence cerebral blood flow (95% of marks).
62%
Describe the physiological factors that influence cerebral blood flow?
56%
Outline the physiological factors that influence cerebral blood flow.
19%
Using a diagram, explain the effect of PaO2, PaCO2 and MAP (Mean Arterial Pressure) on cerebral blood flow (CBF). (60 % of marks) Outline the effects of propofol and ketamine on CBF and cerebral metabolic requirement for oxygen (CMRO2). (40% of marks)
74%
Using a diagram, explain the effect of PaO2, PaCO2 and MAP (mean arterial pressure) on cerebral blood flow (60% marks). Outline the effects of propofol and ketamine on cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral metabolic requirement for oxygen (CMRO2), and cerebral venous oxygen saturation (40% marks).
44%
Describe the control of cerebral blood flow.
50%
Outline the physiological factors that influence cerebral blood flow.
33%

Oral examination

VIVA history

16 stations

Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.