The role of transcranial Doppler in assessing short-term prognosis of non-fatal ischemic stroke

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether Transcranial Doppler (TCD) findings can predict the short-term stroke prognosis jointly with the medical history, clinical and other imaging measures. A prospective cohort study was conducted on ischemic stroke patients during 2006-2007. TCD was performed for all the patients during the first 48 hours of admission. Unified form for Neurological Stroke Scales (UNSS) was completed for all eligible patients once at baseline then six months later. The score of this scale after six months was used as a surrogate measure of short-term prognosis. Data were analyzed using multivariate linear regression model. Mean (SD) of age among the patients was about 62(12) years. Seventy-two percent of 104 participants were males. Right hemiplegia was the most common chief complaint constituting 45 percent of subjects followed by left hemiplegia in 29 percent. Overall abnormal TCD findings were observed in 49 percent of patients. Mean(SD) of UNSS score was 43.3(8.2) at admission time and it improved to 51.6(6.4). The findings multivariate analysis indicated that baseline TCD findings could be used to predict functional prognosis in stroke patients six months after stroke attack. It was found that MCA involvement in both sides and right sided ACA involvement were the predictors of stroke prognosis independent of the patients' baseline status. Short-term stroke prognosis can be predicted by MCA and ACA involvement in TCD. But primary UNSS score at hospitalization time can predict short term stroke prognosis better than TCD findings.