BACKGROUND: The cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) and rate pressure product (RPP) have been reported to benefit hemodynamics more during exercise in the recumbent position than during that in the upright position. However, it is unclear which angle is of the greatest benefit to hemodynamics during exercise in the recumbent position. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the recumbent angle on CBFV and RPP during exercise. METHODS: In a balanced crossover study, 15 healthy volunteers (age, 18.7±1.1 years) were asked to perform the bicycle exercise four times in the upright and at recumbent angles of 67° (R), 47°R, and 15°R, with weekly intervals between each condition. The exercise intensity was set initially at 50 W and increased by 25 W every 2 minutes up to 150 W. CBFV in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was measured using transcranial doppler sonography. All data were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: CBFV at 15°R was significantly higher than that in the upright position and at 67°R at 10 minutes recovery (69±16 vs. 56±7 and 58±10 cm/s, respectively; P<0.05). The RPP was significantly lower at 67°R, 47°R, and 15°R than in the upright position immediately after exercise (176±23, 177±22, and 173±26, respectively, vs. 241±42 mmHg×beats/min×10⁻²; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: At an angle of less than 67°R, exercise increases CBFV and reduces RPP, relative to those during exercise in the upright position. This hemodynamic effect was most prominent at 15°R, where cerebral circulation was further increased in the recovery phase.
Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Cross-Over Studies ; Healthy Volunteers ; Hemodynamics ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Posture ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial

Background: Brain death is the irreversible cessation of the function of the brain including the brainstem. In 2013, the Brain Injury Evaluation Quality Control Centre (BQCC) of the National Health and Family Planning Commission issued criteria and practical guidelines for the determination of brain death. This study aimed to evaluate whether the institutions have adopted these guidelines and to make suggestions for the improvement of the current criteria and practical guidelines for brain death determination in China. Methods: Consecutive brain death cases from 44 hospitals were evaluated for summary statistics for the following data: the performance of BQCC criteria and practical guidelines, clinical examination, apnea testing, ancillary testing, and the number of examinations as well as the waiting periods between examinations and details of who determined brain death. Data analysis was conducted from January 2013 to December 2017. Results: A total of 550 cases were obtained. All patients were determined to have deep coma and met the prerequisites for clinical testing. The performance rates of four brainstem reflex examinations (except cough reflex) ranged from 97.5% to 98.0%, and the completion rate as well as the coincidence rate were both 100.0%. The 238 cases (50.7%) completed apnea testing, and 231 cases (42.0%) had to stop apnea testing during the examination because of instability. The performance rates of the three ancillary tests, including electroencephalogram, short-latency somatosensory evoked potential, and transcranial Doppler, were 89.5%, 67.5%, and 79.5%, respectively; furthermore, the coincidence rates were 98.6%, 96.5%, and 99.5%, respectively. The combination of two ancillary tests was more accurate than one single ancillary test. A total of 401 (72.9%) cases successfully underwent two separate examinations to determine brain death with at least a 12-h waiting period. All brain death cases were determined by at least two qualified physicians. Conclusion This study might provide suggestions for brain death determination in China.
Brain Death ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Electroencephalography ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Humans ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial

BackgroundCompared with full-term infants, very preterm infants are more vulnerable to injury and long-term disability and are at high risk of death. The predictive value of ultrasound and imaging on the neurodevelopment is one of the hot topics. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cranial ultrasound (cUS) variables and neurodevelopmental outcomes of very preterm infants.

MethodsTotally 129 very preterm infants (gestational age ≤28 weeks) in neonatal intensive care unit of Hunan Children's Hospital between January 2012 and November 2014 were included in this retrospective study. Serial cUS (weekly before discharge and monthly after discharge) was performed on the infants until 6 months or older. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on the infants at approximately the term-equivalent age. The mental developmental index (MDI) and psychomotor developmental index (PDI) were followed up until the infants were 24 months or older. The relationship between brain injury and MDI/PDI scores was analyzed.

ResultsThe consistency rate between cUS and MRI was 88%. At the first cUS, germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH) Grades 3 and 4, hospitalization duration, and weight are significantly correlated with MDI/PDI and prognosis (MDI: odds ratio [OR] = 8.415, 0.982, and 0.042, P = 0.016, 0.000, and 0.004; PDI: OR = 7.149, 0.978, and 0.012, P = 0.025, 0.000, and 0.000, respectively). At the last cUS, gestational age, extensive cystic periventricular leukomalacia (c-PVL), and moderate and severe hydrocephaly are significantly correlated with MDI (OR = 0.292, 60.220, and 170.375, P = 0.004, 0.003, and 0.000, respectively). Extensive c-PVL and moderate and severe hydrocephaly are significantly correlated with PDI (OR = 76.861 and 116.746, P = 0.003 and 0.000, respectively).

ConclusionsVery premature infants with GMH Grades 3 and 4, short hospitalization duration, and low weight have low survival rates and poorly developed brain nerves. Cerebral palsy can result from severe cerebral hemorrhage, moderate and severe hydrocephaly, and extensive c-PVL. The sustained, inhomogeneous echogenicity of white matter may suggest subtle brain injury.

Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Brain Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; diagnostic imaging ; Echoencephalography ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; diagnostic imaging ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by severe headaches with or without other acute neurological symptoms, and diffuse segmental constriction of cerebral arteries that resolves spontaneously within 3 months. A 44-year-old woman underwent heart transplantation due to primary amyloidosis with heart involvement. She started to have a seizure after three hours after the heart transplantation, and her consciousness was not recovered. Computed tomography and transcranial doppler sonography were used to diagnose RCVS, and contracted vessels were recovered after oral nimodipine administration.
Adult ; Amyloidosis ; Cerebral Arteries ; Consciousness ; Constriction ; Female ; Headache ; Heart Transplantation* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Nimodipine ; Seizures ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial ; Vasoconstriction*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cerebral monitoring by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) for the detection of cerebral ischemia during carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: From August 2004 to December 2013, 159 CEAs were performed in a tertiary hospital. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Intraoperative TCD was routinely used to detect cerebral ischemia. Of the 159 patients, 102 patients were included in this study, excluding 27 patients who had a poor transtemporal isonation window and 30 patients who used additional cerebral monitoring systems such as electroencephalography or somatosensory evoked potentials. When mean flow velocity in the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery decreased by >50% versus baseline during carotid clamping carotid shunting was selectively performed. The carotid shunt rate and incidence of perioperative (<30 days) stroke or death were investigated by reviewing medical records. RESULTS: Carotid shunting was performed in 31 of the 102 patients (30%). Perioperative stroke occurred in 2 patients (2%); a minor ischemic stroke caused by embolism in one and an intracerebral hemorrhage in the other. Perioperative death developed in the latter patient. CONCLUSION: TCD is a safe cerebral monitoring tool to detect cerebral ischemia during CEA. It can reduce use of carotid shunt.
Anesthesia, General ; Brain Ischemia ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Constriction ; Electroencephalography ; Embolism ; Endarterectomy, Carotid* ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Humans ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Stroke ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial*

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants. Since 2004, Indomethacin, which is effective in preventing IVH, has been removed from the Philippine market. Ketorolac is a nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor which is structurally-related and of equal potency to Indomethacin.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine if prophylactic ketorolac compared to placebo will decrease IVH and its associated morbidities among preterm neonates.
METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial among neonates born in a tertiary government university hospital. Newborns with gestational age ?32 weeks and birth weight RESULTS: A total of 134 infants were included in this study. There was no difference in the proportion of infants who developed IVH between the ketorolac and placebo groups (46% vs. 45%). The mean serum creatinine levels were significantly higher in the ketorolac group (1.15 ± 0.69 vs 0.79 ±0.38; p=0.002). The rates of death, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, bleeding, platelet counts of <50,000/mm3, mean urine output and the lengths of hospital stay were similar in the two groups.
CONCLUSION: Prophylactic intravenous ketorolac was ineffective in preventing IVH among preterm infants. Ketorolac cannot be recommended for the prevention of IVH.

Human ; Infant Newborn ; Birth Weight ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Creatinine ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; Echoencephalography ; Gestational Age ; Philippines ; Platelet Count ; Sepsis

BACKGROUNDFew studies have addressed whether abnormalities in the lenticular nucleus (LN) are characteristic transcranial sonography (TCS) echo features in patients with primary dystonia. This study aimed to explore alterations in the basal ganglia in different forms of primary focal dystonia.

METHODScross-sectional observational study was performed between December 2013 and December 2014 in 80 patients with different forms of primary focal dystonia and 55 neurologically normal control subjects. TCS was performed in patients and control subjects. Multiple comparisons of multiple rates were used to compare LN hyperechogenicity ratios between control and patient groups.

RESULTSThirteen individuals were excluded due to poor temporal bone windows, and two subjects were excluded due to disagreement in evaluation by sonologists. Totally, 70 patients (cervical dystonia, n = 30; blepharospasm, n = 30; oromandibular dystonia, n = 10) and 50 normal controls were included in the final analysis. LN hyperechogenicity was observed in 51% (36/70) of patients with primary focal dystonia, compared with 12% (6/50) of controls (P < 0.001). Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity did not differ between the two groups. LN hyperechogenicity was observed in 73% (22/30) of patients with cervical dystonia, a greater prevalence than in patients with blepharospasm (33%, 10/30, P = 0.002) and oromandibular dystonia (40%, 4/10, P = 0.126). LN hyperechogenicity was more frequently observed in patients with cervical dystonia compared with controls (73% vs. 12%, P < 0.001); however, no significant difference was detected in patients with blepharospasm (33% vs. 12%, P = 0.021) or oromandibular dystonia (40% vs. 12%, P = 0.088).

CONCLUSIONSLN hyperechogenicity is more frequently observed in patients with primary focal dystonia than in controls. It does not appear to be a characteristic TCS echo feature in patients with blepharospasm or oromandibular dystonia.

Adult ; Aged ; Blepharospasm ; diagnostic imaging ; Corpus Striatum ; diagnostic imaging ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dystonic Disorders ; diagnostic imaging ; Echoencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo compare agitated saline solution (AS) and the mixture of AS with blood (ASb) as the contrast agents in contrast transcranial Doppler (c-TCD) in the diagnosis of patent foramen ovale (PFO).

METHODSWe recruited 248 consecutive patients for c-TCD examination between November 2015 and January 2016, and the sequence of the use of AS (9 mL saline solution mixed with 1 mL air) and ASb (9 mL saline solution and a drop of the patient's blood mixed with 1 mL air) was determined by coin-tossing method. Before the examination, the contrast agent was injected with or without Valsalva maneuvers (VM), and the number of microbubbles within 25 s after the contrast agent injection and the time of first appearance of microbubbles were recorded by observing the TCD spectrum. Each injection was repeated twice and the interval between tests was at least 5 min. We classified PFO according to the number of microbubbles into negative (no microbubble), grade I (1-10 microbubbles), grade II (>10 microbubbles but no curtain), and grade III (with curtain).

RESULTSs The positivity rates in diagnosis with AS without VM, AS with VM, ASb without VM, and ASb with VM tests were 10.9%, 23.8%, 12.1% and 25.8%, respectively. AS with VM test had a higher positive rate than AS without VM test (23.8% vs 10.9%, P=0.001), and ASb with VM test had a higher positive rate than ASb without VM test (25.8% vs 12.1%, P=0.001). The positive rates were similar between ASb without VM and AS without VM test (12.1% vs 10.9%, P=0.250) and between ASb with VM test and AS with VM test (25.8% vs 23.8%, P=0.125).

CONCLUSIONVM can improve the positive rate of PFO diagnosis in c-TCD examination, and the positive rates are comparable between examinations using the contrast agents AS and ASb.

Contrast Media ; chemistry ; Foramen Ovale, Patent ; diagnostic imaging ; Microbubbles ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sodium Chloride ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial ; Valsalva Maneuver

OBJECTIVETo assess whether the intelligence seven needle therapy administered in infants with perinatal brain damage syndrome (BDS) as early intervention would improve patients' neural development.

METHODSA randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty-four infants with BDS were randomly assigned to two groups: the comprehensive group and the control group. Both groups received routine early intervention; in addition, the comprehensive group received intelligence seven needle therapy. Before and after treatment, the Bayley Scale of Infant Development (BSID), Gesell Developmental Schedules, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), transcranial doppler ultrasound (TCD), and cranial imaging examination were tested for contrast.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the comprehensive group showed significant difference in the Mental Development Index (MDI) scores of BSID compared with the control group (P<0.05), however, no significant discrepancy in psychomotor development index (PDI,P>0.05) was observed. The children's development quotients (DQ) of the comprehensive group exhibited a significant superiority in improving the social adaptation DQ of Gesell Developmental Schedules compared with the control group (P<0.01), as well as GMFM and linguistic and social intercourse (P<0.05). Again, no discrepancy in the fine movement DQ was found (P>0.05). The total scores of GMFM in the comprehensive group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Comparing the two groups, the comprehensive group showed a significantly greater recovery rate than the control group on TCD after treatment (P<0.05). After 6-month follow-up, some recovery in both groups, specifically on broadening of brain outside space by cranial imaging examination were observed. The comprehensive group demonstrated a significantly greater recovery rate than the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe developmental level of intelligence, motion function, linguistic competence and social intercourse can be promoted for infants with perinatal BDS by treating with the intelligence seven needle therapy. This approach can improve the brain blood supply and promote the growth of frontal and parietal lobes.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Child Development ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Intelligence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Syndrome ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial

PURPOSE: To measure and compare the ocular blood-flow velocity of ophthalmic artery in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC); affected eyes, asymptomatic fellow eyes, and CSC resolved eyes using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. METHODS: A total of 31 patients (age 20-52 years) with CSC were evaluated using power motion mode Doppler 150 digital transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. The peak systolic velocity (PSV), peak diastolic velocity (PDV), and resistance index (RI) were measured in the ophthalmic artery of both affected and asymptomatic fellow eyes. After 2 months, 23 patients with resolved serous retinal detachment underwent repeated measurement of the above hemodynamic indices. RESULTS: The PSV and PDV of the ophthalmic artery were 30.05 ± 5.34 cm/sec and 14.07 ± 2.90 cm/sec in affected eyes and 33.03 ± 2.00 cm/sec and 17.17 ± 2.76 cm/sec in asymptomatic fellow eyes, respectively. Both indices were significantly lower in affected eyes (p = 0.004, p < 0.001, respectively). The RI was 0.52 ± 0.08 in affected eyes and 0.43 ± 0.04 in fellow eyes, a significant difference (p < 0.001). After 2 months, in 23 eyes with resolved CSC, the PSV and PDV were 32.94 ± 6.24 cm/sec and 15.54 ± 2.88 cm/sec, respectively. Both indices were significantly higher than at baseline (p = 0.031, p = 0.045, respectively). However, RI was 0.48 ± 0.04 and was not significantly different (p = 0.073). CONCLUSIONS: The CSC-affected eyes showed lower ocular blood-flow velocity and higher RI than the asymptomatic fellow eyes. The ocular blood-flow velocity was increased as CSC was resolved. These findings provide insights into the ophthalmic arterial vascular factors related to the pathogenesis of CSC.
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Ophthalmic Artery ; Retinal Detachment ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial*