Abstract TP351: Microembolic Signals Monitoring in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Abstract

Background: The etiology of remote DWI lesions in acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is still unknown. Postulated mechanisms include intracranial or extracranial emboli, small vessel abnormalities and ischemia following acute intracranial hypertension. Our aim is to evaluate the presence of spontaneous microembolic signals (MES) using transcranial Doppler (TCD) in acute ICH patients. Methods: Twenty patients with acute ICH were prospectively enrolled and monitored with TCD for 1 hour on admission days 1, 3 and 7. TCD monitoring was performed using 2MHz probes. Results: Of the 20 patients evaluated, 40% were females and mean age was 55.6±14.1. Eight patients (40%) had dyslipidemia, 15 (75%) hypertension, 5 (20%) diabetes, 2 (10%) ethanol abuse, 6 (30%) smoking and 1 (10%) had prior ischemic stroke. Most frequent location was lobar (9 patients). The mean hematoma volume was 13,5±17,9 ml. Of six patients who underwent MRI, 2 (20%) had remote DWI lesions. Embolic sources were found in 3 patients (1 with atrial fibrillation and 2 with large artery atherosclerosis). Microembolic signals were detected in seven patients (35%). Conclusion: The high occurrence of microemboli in patients admitted with acute ICH indicates a possible embolic mechanism for DWI lesions in these patients.