[Diagnose and predict utility of transcranial Doppler in the serious cerebral anoxia]

Rev Neurol. 2001 Sep;33(6):522-5.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Introduction: In the clinical daily practice, exist multiple situations in which could produce phenomenons of serious hypoxia to encephalic level, normally with important repercussions for the patient.

Objectives: Study if after the existence of a situation of serious encephalic hypoxia, any typical pattern in the exploration transcranial Doppler (TCD) exists, and the possible diagnostic and/or prognostic implications could bear.

Patients and methods: We presented 10 patients admitted in our Unit of Intensive Care, for clinical situations in which a situation of encephalic hypoxia took place and to which was practiced a TCD like exploration of encephalic flow. We related the discoveries of the DTC, with the clinical situation, the images of the cerebral computed tomography in three of the patients, and the data of the electroencephalogram in the other seven. Like statistical tool, is used the test of square ji, demanding a confidence interval of the 95%.

Results: In all the patients, we found a patron TCD, of high speed mean with low Pulsatility Index. Nine patients died, surviving with serious sequels the last patient.

Conclusions: In our series, we could conclude, that the existence of a patron TCD with high speed mean and with low Pulsatility Index, after an episode of brain hypoxia, its associated to a wrong presage, existing a high risk of death of the patient.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Glasgow Coma Scale
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia, Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hypoxia, Brain / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / methods*