Abstract
Purpose: To review the literature regarding the use of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) for monitoring cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).
Source: We searched Medline (1980 to August 2007) and Embase (1980 to August 2007) and reviewed all relevant manuscripts regarding TCD and SAH.
Principal findings: Currently, the gold standard for vasospasm diagnosis is cerebral angiography, replaceable by computed tomography angiography, only when angiography is not available. Obviously, it is not feasible to perform such investigation as frequently as bedside clinical assessment. Repeated clinical assessments of a patient’s neurological status carry the problem of detecting the clinical signs and symptoms of vasospasm, which occur only after vasospasm has already manifested its deleterious effects on the cerebral parenchyma. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography is a relatively new, non-invasive tool, allowing for bedside monitoring to determine flow velocities indicative of changes in vascular calibre. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography can be useful pre-, intra- and post-operatively, while helping to recognize the development of cerebral vasospasm before the onset of its clinical effects.
Conclusion: Vasospasm following SAH is a very important source of morbidity and mortality. Too often, the first sign is a neurologic deficit, which may be too late to reverse. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography assists in the clinical decision-making regarding further diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic interventions. When performed in isolation, the contribution of TCD to improving patient outcome has not been established. Nevertheless, TCD has become a regularly employed tool in neurocritical care and perioperative settings.
Résumé
Objectif: Passer en revue la littérature concernant l’utilisation de l’échographie Doppler transcrânienne (TCD) pour surveiller un vasospasme cérébral survenu à la suite d’une hémorragie sous-arachnoïdienne (SAH).
Source: Nous avons effectué des recherches sur Medline (1980 à août 2007) et Embase (1980 à août 2007) et révisé tous les manuscrits pertinents concernant la TCD et la SAH.
Constatations principales: À l’heure actuelle, l’angiographie est l’étalon or pour diagnostiquer un vasospasme. Celle-ci peut être remplacée par l’angiographie par tomodensitométrie seulement lorsqu’une angiographie n’est pas disponible. Il est évident qu’il n’est pas possible d’effectuer de telles recherches aussi fréquemment que les évaluations cliniques au chevet du malade. Des évaluations cliniques répétées de l’état neurologique d’un patient donné ont pour objectif primaire la détection des signes et symptômes cliniques du vasospasme, lesquels ne surviennent qu’après que le vasospasme a manifesté ses effets nuisibles sur le parenchyme cérébral. L’échographie Doppler transcrânienne est un outil relativement nouveau et non invasif qui permet un monitorage au chevet du patient afin de déterminer les vitesses du débit qui indiquent les changements dans le calibre vasculaire. L’échographie Doppler transcrânienne peut être utile avant, pendant et après l’opération tout en constituant un outil précieux pour identifier le développement d’un vasospasme cérébral avant que ses effets cliniques ne se manifestent.
Conclusion: Le vasospasme à la suite d’une SAH est une cause majeure de morbidité et de mortalité. Trop souvent, le premier signe visible d’un vasospasme est un déficit neurologique, et il pourrait être trop tard déjà pour qu’il soit réversible. L’échographie Doppler transcrânienne est un outil qui assiste la prise de décision clinique concernant une évaluation diagnostique approfondie et des interventions thérapeutiques. Il n’a pas été démontré que la TCD, utilisée seule, améliore le suivi des patients. Cependant, la TCD est devenue un outil régulièrement employé dans des contextes de soins intensifs neurologiques et périopératoires.
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Rigamonti, A., Ackery, A. & Baker, A.J. Transcranial Doppler monitoring in subarachnoid hemorrhage: a critical tool in critical care. Can J Anesth 55, 112–123 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03016323
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03016323