Mean flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery is associated with rehabilitation success in ischemic stroke patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between mean flow velocity (MFV) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) measured by using transcranial Doppler (TCD) and functional and neurologic impairment change during rehabilitation after acute stroke.


METHODS
Cross-sectional observational study.


METHODS
Acute neurologic rehabilitation department.


METHODS
Consecutive patients (N=67; 53 men, 14 women; mean ± SD age, 61.54±8.92y) referred to the rehabilitation center during the first 6 months of 2006 for a first ischemic stroke in the MCA area.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
All subjects were evaluated on admission and at discharge by using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the FIM. TCD measurements of MFV of the ipsilateral and contralateral MCA were performed on admission (during the first 20 days after stroke) and a few days before discharge.


RESULTS
Contralateral MFV at admission was associated significantly with all indexes of functional rehabilitation success (FIM score at discharge [β=.169; P=.010], change in FIM score [β=.554; P=.010], relative improvement in FIM score [β=.783; P=.003]). No significant association was found between indexes of NIHSS change and ipsilateral or contralateral MFV.


CONCLUSIONS
Ipsilateral or contralateral MFV measured at admission did not change during the 2-month rehabilitation period. Our data showed a significant association between blood flow velocity in the contralateral MCA and functional rehabilitation parameters of patients after first ischemic stroke in the MCA area.
Loewenstein Hospital Rehabilitation Center, Ra'anana, Israel.
Iuly
I
Treger
Lena
L
Aidinof
Lena
L
Lutsky
Leonid
L
Kalichman
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / Q000379:methods*