Cerebral Hemodynamics Patterns by Transcranial Doppler in Patients With Acute Liver Failure

Abstract

IntroductionAbout half of patients with acute liver failure (ALF) show clinical signs of cerebral edema and intracranial hypertension. Neuroimaging diagnostics and electroencephalography have poor correlation with intracranial pressure measurement. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to characterize the cerebral hemodynamics patterns with transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography in patients with ALF. MethodWe studied 21 patients diagnosed with ALF, admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas of Cuba. All of these patients had a TCD performed on arrival at ICU, evaluating the following: systolic (SV), diastolic (DV), and medium (MV) flows velocities and pulsatility index (PI) in right middle cerebral artery (RMCA) via temporal windows. ResultsThe sonographic patterns of cerebral hemodynamics were as follows: low-flow, 12 patients (57.1%); high resistance, 5 patients (23.8%); and hyperemic, 4 patients (19%). Patients who died while waiting had lower MV RMCA (56.1 vs 58.1 cm/s) and higher PI (1.71 vs 1.41) than patients who could undergo transplantation (P = .800 and P = .787, respectively). ConclusionsIn patients diagnosed with ALF admitted to the ICU the predominating cerebral hemodynamic pattern was low-flow with resistance increase. The TCD was shown to be a useful tool in the initial evaluation for prognosis and treatment.