Stroke is mostly caused by cerebral ischemia (infarction) and in the infarction group, it is found to be caused by coronary artery occlusion and cerebral hemorrhage.
Get to Know TCD: Cerebral Blood Flow Examination
Transcranial Doppler or TCD is an examination to observe blood flow in the cerebral arteries using high-frequency waves. The benefit of this test is that it can specifically assess blood flow in the cerebral arteries and is used to monitor and follow up on small blood clots traveling to the brain. It is suitable for
- people at risk of ischemic stroke
- people with subarachnoid hemorrhage to monitor cerebral vasospasm
- patients with acute ischemic stroke who have received thrombolysis treatment
Additionally, it can be used to detect brain death from brain infections (depending on the case), detect small clots that have traveled from the heart, or fatty plaques on the walls of the carotid arteries. It can also assess the dilation or constriction of cerebral arteries when there are changes in blood carbon dioxide levels. All of these require prior consideration by a physician.
Confidence in Accurate and Safe Results
TCD examination is considered accurate and safe and can be performed bedside because the equipment is portable and can be used anywhere, even if the patient is unconscious or in a coma in the emergency department, to quickly assess the main arteries supplying the brain. However, the examination must be performed by experienced and specialized physicians only. With the accumulated experience of the medical team at the Neurological and Brain Disease Center, Paolo Phaholyothin Hospital, the results can be interpreted accurately and correctly, ensuring safety and reliability. Nevertheless, there are limitations in patients with thick temporal bones, which can obscure the view of the arteries, mostly found in female patients.
Simple Procedure, Time-Saving, Immediate Results
The examination uses a transducer and gel applied to the patient’s head or eyelids, passing through the skull to the cerebral arteries. The sound waves bounce off red blood cells and reflect back to the computer, which processes the data into graphs. The procedure takes about 30–60 minutes, helping to detect abnormalities in the cerebral arteries and identify the location of stenosis with immediate information. It is painless and safe. After the examination, patients can resume their normal daily activities.
