Detection of microembolic signals using power M-mode Doppler sonography in acute stroke patients with intracranial artery stenosis.
OBJECTIVE
Microembolic signals (MES) can be detected in a variety of clinical situations using conventional transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography. We studied the prevalence of positive MESs in acute stroke patients with intracranial artery stenosis using power M-mode Doppler (PMD) sonography and also tested the feasibility of this new technique.


METHODS
Thirty-three consecutive acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack patients with intracranial large artery occlusive disease were enrolled. PMD/TCD monitoring for 30 minutes was used for MES detection downstream of the stenotic artery within 1 week after stroke onset. Clinical risk factors in emboli-positive and emboli-negative patients were assessed.


RESULTS
MESs were detected in 21% (7/33) of patients. No significant differences were found in clinical risk factors between emboli-positive and emboli-negative patients.


CONCLUSIONS
PMD sonography to detect MESs in acute stroke patients is feasible and may be used in future clinical trials regarding MES detection.
Tan
Teng-Yeow
TY
Department of Neurology, Cerebrovascular Disease Section, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123, Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung Hsiang, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
Chen
Ting-Yao
TY
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001488:Basilar Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020765:Intracranial Arterial Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler