Predictive value of the transcranial Doppler and mean arterial flow velocity for early detection of cerebral vasospasm in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Ultrasound ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1742271X2097696
Author(s):  
Ahmed Esmael ◽  
Mohamed E Flifel ◽  
Farid Elmarakby ◽  
Tamer Belal

Objectives We aimed to predict cerebral vasospasm in acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and to determine the cut-off values of the mean flow velocity by the use of transcranial Doppler. Methods A total of 40 patients with acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were included in this study and classified into two groups. The first group was 26 patients (65%) with cerebral vasospasm and the second group was 14 patients (35%) without vasospasm. Initial evaluation using the Glasgow Coma Scale and the severity of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage was detected by using both the clinical Hunt and Hess and radiological Fisher grading scales. All patients underwent transcranial Doppler evaluations five times in 10 days measuring the mean flow velocities (MFV) of cerebral arteries. Results Patients with cerebral vasospasm were associated with significantly higher mean Glasgow Coma Scale score ( p = 0.03), significantly higher mean Hunt and Hess scale grades ( p = 0.04), with significantly higher mean diabetes mellitus ( p = 0.03), significantly higher mean systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure ( p = 0.02 and p = 0.005 respectively) and significantly higher MFVs measured within the first 10 days. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that MFV ≥81 cm/s in the middle cerebral artery is accompanied by an almost five-fold increased risk of vasospasm (OR 4.92, p < 0.01), while MFV ≥63 cm/s in the anterior cerebral artery is accompanied by a three-fold increased risk of vasospasm (OR 3.12, p < 0.01), and MFV ≥42 cm/s in the posterior cerebral artery is accompanied by a two-fold increased risk of vasospasm (OR 2.11, p < 0.05). Conclusion Transcranial Doppler is a useful tool for early detection, monitoring, and prediction of post subarachnoid vasospasm and valuable for early therapeutic intervention before irreversible ischemic neurological deficits take place.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ahmed Esmael ◽  
Tamer Belal ◽  
Khaled Eltoukhy

Background and Aim. Cognitive impairment after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) stays under investigation. This study is aimed at predicting the cognitive impairment by transcranial Doppler (TCD) and detecting the associated clinical biomarkers of impaired cognition after aSAH after 3 months from the onset. Methods. Prospective study included 40 cases with acute aSAH. Initial evaluation by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and the severity of aSAH was detected by both the clinical Hunt and Hess and radiological Fisher’s grading scales. TCD was done for all patients five times within 10 days measuring the mean flow velocities (MFVs) of cerebral arteries. At the 3-month follow-up, patients were classified into two groups according to Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale: the first group was 31 cases (77.5%) with intact cognitive functions and the other group was 9 cases (22.5%) with impaired cognition. Results. Patients with impaired cognitive functions showed significantly lower mean GCS ( p = 0.03 ), significantly higher mean Hunt and Hess scale grades ( p = 0.04 ), significantly higher mean diabetes mellitus (DM) ( p = 0.03 ), significantly higher mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ( p = 0.02 and p = 0.005 , respectively), and significantly higher MFVs measured within the first 10 days. The patients with cognitive impairment were accompanied by a higher incidence of hydrocephalus ( p = 0.01 ) and a higher incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) ( p < 0.001 ). Logistic regression analysis detected that MFV ≥ 86     cm / s in the middle cerebral artery (MCA), MFV ≥ 68     cm / s in the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), and MFV ≥ 45     cm / s in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) were significantly associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment. Conclusion. Cognitive impairment after the 3-month follow-up phase in aSAH patients was 22.5%. Acute hydrocephalus and DCI are highly associated with poor cognitive function in aSAH. Increased MFV is a strong predictor for poor cognitive function in aSAH. This trial is registered with NCT04329208.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 519-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Rosenstein ◽  
Mikio Suzuki ◽  
Lindsay Symon ◽  
Sheila Redmond

Abstract Recent advances in electronics and microprocessors have enabled the development of a compact portable cerebral blood flow (CBF) machine capable of being transported to the patient's bedside. We have used such a device, the Novo Cerebrograph 2a, during the past 7 months on a regular basis in the day to day management of our patients with intracranial aneurysms. One hundred three studies were performed in 23 cases of suspected intracranial aneurysm. Twenty-two cases presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patients were studied on admission, preoperatively, in the recovery room, on postoperative Days 1, 5, and 14, and whenever the clinical condition of the patient warranted. The preoperative admission grade was found to correlate well with the mean CBFisi (ISI: initial slope index). Grade III and IV patients had flows significantly lower than those of Grade I and II patients. Serial CBF measurements proved useful in the management of 18 of 22 cases admitted with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. Delayed ischemic deficits secondary to vasospasm occurred in 6 cases, with a concomitant average fall in mean flow in the symptomatic hemispheres of 27.9%. After volume expansion, an average increase in flow of 29.7% was noted. Low preoperative flows influenced management decision-making in 8 cases. In a further 4 cases, serial CBF measurements were helpful in the differential diagnosis of new neurological signs.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 1026-1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose G. Romano ◽  
Alejandro M. Forteza ◽  
Mauricio Concha ◽  
Sebastian Koch ◽  
Roberto C. Heros ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and characteristics of microembolic signals (MES) in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: Twenty-three patients with aneurysmal SAH were monitored with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography for the presence of MES and vasospasm. Each middle cerebral artery was monitored for 30 minutes three times each week. Patients were excluded if they had traumatic SAH or cardiac or arterial sources of emboli. Monitoring was initiated 6.3 days (1–16 d) after SAH and lasted 6.6 days (1–13 d). Eleven individuals without SAH or other cerebrovascular diseases who were treated in the same unit served as control subjects. Each patient underwent monitoring of both middle cerebral arteries a mean of three times; therefore, 46 vessels were studied (a total of 138 observations). Control subjects underwent assessment of each middle cerebral artery once, for a total of 22 control vessels. RESULTS: MES were detected for 16 of 23 patients (70%) and 44 of 138 patient vessels (32%) monitored, compared with 2 of 11 control subjects (18%) and 2 of 22 control vessels (9%) (P &lt; 0.05). MES were observed for 83% of patients with clinical vasospasm and 54% of those without clinical vasospasm. Ultrasonographic vasospasm was observed for 71 of 138 vessels monitored; MES were observed for 28% of vessels with vasospasm and 36% of those without vasospasm. Aneurysms proximal to the monitored artery were identified in 38 of 138 vessels, of which 34% exhibited MES, which is similar to the frequency for vessels without proximal aneurysms (31%). Coiled, clipped, and unsecured aneurysms exhibited similar frequencies of MES. CONCLUSION: MES were common in SAH, occurring in 70% of cases of SAH and one-third of all vessels monitored. Although MES were more frequent among patients with clinical vasospasm, this difference did not reach statistical significance. We were unable to demonstrate a relationship between ultrasonographic vasospasm and MES, and the presence of a proximal secured or unsecured aneurysm did not alter the chance of detection of MES. Further studies are required to determine the origin and clinical relevance of MES in SAH.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Göttsche ◽  
Nils Schweingruber ◽  
Julian Christopher Groth ◽  
Christian Gerloff ◽  
Manfred Westphal ◽  
...  

Objective: Several guidelines recommend oral administration of nimodipine as vasospasm prophylaxis after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, in clinical practice, the drug is administered orally and intravenously (i.v.), depending on clinical conditions and local treatment regimens. We have therefore investigated the safety and clinical effects of switching from i.v. to oral nimodipine therapy.Methods: Patients with aneurysmal SAH between January 2014 and April 2018 and initial i.v. nimodipine therapy, which was subsequently switched to oral administration, were included in this retrospective study. Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) of the vessels of the anterior circulation was performed daily. The occurrence of vasospasm and infarction during the overall course of the treatment was recorded. Statistical level of significance was set to p &lt; 0.05.Results: A total of 133 patients (mean age 55.8 years, 65% female) initially received nimodipine i.v. after aneurysmal SAH, which was subsequently switched to oral administration after a mean of 12 days. There were no significant increases in mean flow velocities on TCD after the switch from i.v. to oral nimodipine administration regarding the anterior cerebral artery. For the middle cerebral artery, an increase from 62.36 to 71.78 cm/sec could only be detected in the subgroup of patients with infarction. There was no clustering of complicating events such as new-onset vasospasm or infarction during or after the switch.Conclusions: Our results do not point to any safety concerns when switching nimodipine from initial i.v. to oral administration. Switching was neither associated with clinically relevant increases in TCD velocities nor other relevant adverse events.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan Purohit ◽  
Naresh Mullaguri ◽  
Christine Ahrens ◽  
Christopher Newey ◽  
Dani Dhimant ◽  
...  

Introduction: Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is a complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Intraventricular milrinone (IVtM) and intravenous milrinone (IVM) have been studied for treatment of CVS. We aimed to determine the effect of milrinone therapy on clinical and transcranial Doppler (TCD) measures of CVS. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with aSAH treated with IVtM at a single tertiary center between 2016 and 2018. Patients were treated with IVtM if they had symptomatic CVS or TCD suggestive of critical CVS that persisted despite blood pressure augmentation or endovascular therapies. Nimodipine was given as standard of care. A subset of patients were also treated with IVM, which was dosed in a standard fashion based on Montreal Neurological Institute protocol. We collected demographic data, TCD mean flow velocity and pulsatility index, angiographic data, as well as utilization and frequency of IVtM and IVM. Results: Twenty-eight patients in our cohort had modified Fisher grade 4 (57%) or grade 3 (25%) and median Hunt-Hess score of 3 (IQR 2, 4). Twenty-one of 28 patients were treated with IVtM+IVM. Seven (25%) who received IVtM alone had no significant improvement in TCD velocities or reduction in symptomatic CVS (p=0.611). Patients received between 1 and 30 doses of IVtM. There was no significant improvement with time or with number of IVtM doses IVtM. There was also no significant improvement in TCD velocities of CVS patients nor reduction in symptomatic CVS with IVtM+IVM (p=0.69). The number of IVtM doses correlated with an increased discharge mRS (p=0.05). There were no direct complications due to IVtM or IVM. Conclusion: Neither IVtM+IVM nor IVtM alone appear to be effective treatment of CVS in aSAH. Our data represent one of the first case series reporting IVtM and IVtM+IVM utilization for the treatment of CVS.


2011 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 935-941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothee Wachter ◽  
Ilonka Kreitschmann-Andermahr ◽  
Joachim Michael Gilsbach ◽  
Veit Rohde

Object As many as 33% of patients suffering from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) present with multiple intracranial aneurysms (MIAs). It is believed that aneurysm surgery has the potential to increase the risk of cerebral vasospasm due to surgical manipulations of the parent vessels and brain tissue. Consequently, 1-stage surgery of MIAs, which usually takes longer and requires more manipulation, could even further increase the risk of vasospasm. The aim of this study is to define the correlation between vasospasm and the operative treatment of single intracranial aneurysms versus MIAs in a 1-stage operation. Methods The authors analyzed a database including 1016 patients with SAH, identified retrospectively between 1989 and 1996 and prospectively collected between 1997 and 2004. Exclusion criteria were endovascular treatment, surgery after SAH Day 3, and, in patients with MIAs, undergoing more than 1 operation. Cerebral vasospasm was diagnosed by transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography and was defined as a maximum mean blood flow velocity > 120 cm/second. The diagnosis of symptomatic vasospasm was made if a new neurological deficit occurred that could not be explained by concomitant complications. Results A total of 643 patients who experienced 810 aneurysms were included. Four hundred twenty-four patients were female (65.9%) and 219 were male (34.1%) with an average age of 53.1 years. One hundred twenty-one patients (18.8%) were diagnosed with MIAs. Maximum mean flow velocities measured by TCD were 131 cm/second in patients with MIAs and 129.5 cm/second in patients with single intracranial aneurysms. The incidence of TCD vasospasm (p = 0.561) as well as of symptomatic vasospasm (p = 0.241) was not significantly different in the 2 groups. Conclusions Clipping of more than 1 aneurysm in a 1-stage operation within 72 hours after SAH can be performed without increasing the risk of cerebral (TCD) vasospasm and symptomatic vasospasm.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Martin ◽  
Eva Plank ◽  
Bernhard Ulm ◽  
Jens Gempt ◽  
Maria Wostrack ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The implication of the steroids estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has not been comprehensively assessed. In rodents, studies suggested beneficial effects of steroids on cerebral vasospasm after experimental SAH. Studies in humans are warranted, however, a general dilemma of human studies on neuroactive substances is that the brain is not directly accessible and that concentrations in the periphery may not adequately parallel concentrations in the central compartments. In the present study, concentrations of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with aSAH were determined. Blood flow velocities in cerebral arteries were measured by transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlations between the cerebral blood flow velocities and levels of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in CSF and serum. Results Samples of serum and CSF of 42 patients with aSAH were collected concomitantly daily or every other day via the arterial line and the external ventricular drainage for two weeks after the hemorrhage. Blood flow velocities in the cerebral arteries were determined by TCD. Total estradiol, progesterone and testosterone concentrations were measured by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. The strength of correlation was assessed by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The correlation analysis revealed very weak correlations between cerebral blood flow velocities and concentrations of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels in both compartments with correlation coefficients below 0.2. Conclusions In humans with aSAH, merely very weak correlations between flow velocities in cerebral arteries and concentrations of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in serum and CSF were demonstrated. These results suggest a limited influence of the respective steroids on cerebral vascular tone although vasodilatory effects were described in rodent studies. Thus, the implication of steroids in processes of neurological deterioration warrants further clarification.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Misaki Kohama ◽  
Shinichiro Sugiyama ◽  
Kenichi Sato ◽  
Hidenori Endo ◽  
Kuniyasu Niizuma ◽  
...  

Background: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is used to monitor cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but its diagnostic ability is reported to be limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the diagnosability of TCD and the localization of the vasospasm. Methods: This retrospective study included 20 patients who presented with symptomatic vasospasm after SAH. All 20 patients underwent daily TCD examinations and cerebral angiography after the onset of delayed cerebral ischemia. We defined positive findings on TCD as a maximum flow velocity >200 cm/s or as a mean flow velocity >120 cm/s at the horizontal part of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). We also examined the site of vasospasm on cerebral angiography. Results: Fourteen patients had true-positive findings on TCD examination, and cerebral angiography showed diffuse vasospasm involving the horizontal segment of the MCA. However, 6 patients had false-negative findings on TCD examination, and cerebral angiography showed vasospasm localized at the distal part of the MCA (the insular and/or cortical segments). The patients with proximal vasospasm were significantly younger than those with distal vasospasm. Blood flow velocity at initial TCD and the increase in velocity at the onset of vasospasm were lower and smaller, respectively, in the distal vasospasm group. Conclusions: In patients with cerebral vasospasm localized at the distal part of the MCA, flow velocity at the horizontal segment of the MCA did not increase to the level we defined as positive. To avoid such false negatives, a slight increase in velocity on TCD should be considered as positive in distal vasospasm cases, especially in older patients.


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