title: Comparative study of 18 gauge and 20 gauge intravenous catheters during transcranial Doppler ultrasonography with saline solution contrast.
abstract: A formal technical protocol has not been established for transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in the detection of venous to arterial shunts; techniques have been adapted from contrast echocardiography. We evaluated the effect of different diameter indwelling intravenous catheters on the detection of right-to-left shunts by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Fifteen patients underwent transcranial Doppler sonographic evaluation with saline solution contrast using both 18 gauge and 20 gauge indwelling intravenous catheters. The larger bore intravenous catheter delivered a greater number of signals in a shorter time to the insonated middle cerebral artery. We recommend that a standardized method for transcranial Doppler sonographic contrast studies include an 18 gauge intravenous catheter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shuaib
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003287:Contrast Media; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / Q000379:methods*; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D012965:Sodium Chloride