Transcranial Doppler Monitoring in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Abstract

Cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia are common complications associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) outcomes. Various modalities can be used to evaluate and detect cerebral vasospasm after SAH. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography can be used as an appropriate bedside dynamic monitoring tool to screen for the presence and progression of cerebral vasospasm in patients with SAH. This article briefly reviewed the severity of SAH and pathophysiology of vasospasm. In addition, information regarding the use of TCD for monitoring cerebral vasospasm, several variables measured by TCD to monitor vasospasm detection, and differentiating vasospasm from physiological conditions in the clinical setting following SAH were presented in this article.