Medknow Publications on behalf of the Neurological Society of India
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The effects of age and hematocrit on transcranial Doppler
(TCD) velocities have not been evaluated in a large patient group with
recent ischemic stroke. AIM: This study assessed the effects of age
and hematocrit on TCD measurements in patients with recent ischemic
stroke compared to patients with non-vascular diseases. SETTINGS AND
DESIGN: University Hospital, retrospective study. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: TCD records and data files of 862 consecutive patients (mean
age, 57±16 years) with various neurological diagnoses were
reviewed retrospectively. The peak systolic, end diastolic and mean
flow velocities (FV), systolic/diastolic ratios and pulsatility indices
(PI) in the middle cerebral arteries were averaged and the effect of
age and hematocrit values on these TCD values was studied. Independent
samples t test, Pearson′s coefficients of correlation, and linear
regression test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among
862 patients, 413 were women (mean age, 53±17 years) and 449 were
men (mean age, 60±13 years). Peak systolic and mean FV were higher
and hematocrit concentration was lower in women compared to men
(P<0.001). The relation of TCD velocities with age and hematocrit
was more remarkable in the group of patients with non-vascular
neurological disorders. PI values demonstrated a significant
correlation to age (r=+0.47) (P<0.001), but did not change
significantly with hematocrit level. CONCLUSIONS: It should be
remembered that blood FV measured by TCD may be significantly affected
by age and hematocrit level. However, there seems to be no significant
association between TCD velocities and hematocrit in patients with a
recent ischemic stroke