Background and purpose: Both transcranial Doppler (TCD) and spiral computed tomography angiography (CTA) are used for noninvasive vascular assessment tools in acute stroke. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of TCD against CTA in patients with acute cerebral ischemia.
Methods: Consecutive patients presenting to the Emergency Department with symptoms of acute (<24 hours) cerebral ischemia underwent emergent high-resolution brain CTA with a multidetector helical scanner. TCD was performed at bedside with a standardized, fast-track insonation protocol before or shortly (<2 hours) after completion of the CTA. Previously published diagnostic criteria were prospectively applied for TCD interpretation independent of angiographic findings.
Results: A total of 132 patients (74 men, mean+/-SD age 63+/-15 years) underwent emergent neurovascular assessment with brain CTA and TCD. Compared with CTA, TCD showed 34 true-positive, 9 false-negative, 5 false-positive, and 84 true-negative studies (sensitivity 79.1%, specificity 94.3%, positive predictive value 87.2%, negative predictive value 90.3%, and accuracy 89.4%). In 9 cases (7%), TCD showed findings complementary to the CTA (real-time embolization, collateralization of flow with extracranial internal carotid artery disease, alternating flow signals indicative of steal phenomenon).
Conclusions: Bedside TCD examination yields satisfactory agreement with urgent brain CTA in the evaluation of patients with acute cerebral ischemia. TCD can provide real-time flow findings that are complementary to information provided by CTA.