Transcranial Doppler Detection of Vasospasm Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

지주막하 출혈에 따른 Vasospasm에 대한 Transcranial Doppler의 임상적 적용

Vasoconstriction of intracerebral arteries is the leading cause of delayed cerebral infarction and mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Transcranial Doppler studies show and increase in the flow velocities of basal cerebral arteries, which usually start around day 4 following a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and peaking by days 7 to 14. Angiographic studies confirm the presence of at least some degree of MCA vasospasm when the flow velocities are higher than 100 cm/sec. Mean velocities in the 120 to 200 cm/sec range correspond to 25 to 50% luminal narrowing. MCA and ACA vsospasm is detected with around 90% specificity. Sensitivity is 80% and 50% respectively. A 200cm/sec threshold and rapid flow velocity increase exceeding 50 cm/sec on consecutive days, has been associated with subsequent infarction. Transcranial Doppler is also used to monitor the effects of endovascular treatment of vasospasm. Flow velocities decrease following successful angioplasty or papaverine infusion. Overall, transcranial Doppler studies are considered to have acceptable accuracy for the evaluation of vasospasm in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, with limitations that have to be taken into consideration in the clinical setting.