ASSESSMENT OF BASILAR ARTERY HEMODYNAMICS IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH NO HISTORY OF CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE BY USING TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLER ULTRASOUND

We compared intracranial hemodynamics in 121 type 2 diabetic patients who had no history of cerebrovascular disease with findings in 123 matched control subjects. Mean blood flow velocity (MFV) and Fourier pulsatility index were determined by using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD). MFV in the basilar artery was significantly lower in diabetic than in nondiabetic subjects (p＜0.01), while Fourier PI of the basilar artery was significantly higher in diabetic than in nondiabetic subjects (p＜0.01). In multivariate regression analysis, increased Fourier PI and decreased MFV were associated with higher age, female gender, and longer duration of diabetes. Decreased MFV was also associated with microalbuminuria. These findings demonstrated deterioration of basilar artery hemodynamics in patients with type 2 diabetes who have no stroke history. Additionally, repeated TCD may prove to be useful for monitoring cerebrovascular impairments in these patients