Journal of neurosurgical anesthesiology
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Sep 1990
Transcranial Doppler sonography as a supplement in the detection of cerebral circulatory arrest.
The effects of compromised cerebral hemodynamics on intracranial blood flow velocity patterns (BFV) were studied by noninvasive transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD). Pulsatility index (PI) as an estimation of peripheral cerebral vascular resistance was additionally analyzed. TCD patterns were determined in 19 mechanically ventilated brain dead patients (group A) and 8 resuscitated or severely head injured patients (group B) with intermittent elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). ⋯ In these patients, resistive Doppler signals with normal or reduced systolic peaks and decreased diastolic flow velocities were expressed as increases in PI. Noninvasive transcranial Doppler sonography appears to confirm cerebral circulatory arrest. Additionally, TCD may be of value for the early detection of impaired cerebral hemodynamics due to changes in intracranial compliance.