Vasospasm followed by diastolic flow reversal in the intracranial arteries after subarachnoid haemorrhage

J Clin Neurosci. 2007 Apr;14(4):389-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2005.12.015. Epub 2007 Jan 19.

Abstract

Vasospasm and raised intracranial pressure (ICP) are common complications in subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Vasospasm can be reliably monitored by repeated transcranial Doppler (TCD) examinations. The changes in flow velocities due to vasospasm are useful for early diagnosis, monitoring effectiveness of treatment and determining prognosis. Intracranial pressure can also increase to dangerous levels and affect blood flow in the intracranial circulation. These changes in ICP may be evaluated by the spectral waveform patterns obtained during TCD examination. We describe the dynamic TCD spectral changes in a patient with SAH that progressed from vasospasm to diastolic flow reversal. These temporal changes observed during serial TCD examinations were well correlated with the ICP. Transcranial Doppler is a reliable, beat-to-beat, non-invasive and reproducible bedside test that can be used to monitor vasospasm and ICP in SAH. The use of TCD can be extended to other intracranial diseases that can potentially lead to an abnormally high ICP.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / complications
  • Brain / blood supply
  • Cerebral Arteries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Diastole
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Pressure*
  • Middle Aged
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / complications
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial*
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / etiology