Use of transcranial Doppler has undergone much development since its introduction in 1982, making the technique suitable for general use in intensive care units. The main application in intensive care units is to assess intracranial pressure, confirm the lack of cerebral circulation in brain death, detect vasospasm in subarachnoid haemorrhage, and monitor the blood flow parameters during thrombolysis and carotid endarterectomy, as well as measuring stenosis of the main intracranial arteries in sickle cell disease in children. This review summarises the use of transcranial Doppler in intensive care units.
Keywords: brain death; endarterectomy; intensive care unit; intracranial pressure; optic nerve sheath diameter; sickle cell disease; subarachnoid haemorrhage; thrombolysis; transcranial Doppler; vasospasm.