Transcranial Duplex Sonography Research Articles

Color M-mode in Transcranial Duplex Sonography: A Novel Approach for Diagnosing Right-to-Left Shunt.

Color M-mode in Transcranial Duplex Sonography: A Novel Approach for Diagnosing Right-to-Left Shunt.

Loss of cerebral blood flow and cerebral perfusion pressure in brain death: A transcranial Duplex ultrasonography study.

We investigated cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) at the time loss of cerebral blood flow (CBF) occurred during brain death (BD). We hypothesized that a critical closing pressure (CrCP) may be reached before CPP drops to 0 mmHg. 14 patients with increasing intracranial pressure (ICP) leading to BD were included. Transcranial Duplex (TCD) ultrasonography was used to investigate CBF. Starting at a CPP of 30 mmHg, TCD was repeated until waveforms indicated loss of CBF. We then analyzed CPP by the time TCD indicated absent CBF and clinical BD was established. In 12 patients, CPP was positive when clinical BD was manifest and TCD illustrated absent CBF. Across all patients, mean CPP at clinical BD manifestation was 10.0 mmHg (range 0-20 mmHg); mean CPP by the time CBF stopped was 7.5 mmHg (0-20 mmHg). In four patients, clinical BD preceded loss of CBF. Here, the mean CPP difference from clinical BD to loss of CBF was 8.8 mmHg (5-15 mmHg). CrCP may be reached although CPP is still positive, resulting in complete loss of CBF and BD. By including bedside TCD, neuromonitoring may contribute to early identification of patients at risk to experience loss of CBF and subsequent BD.

Post-reperfusion hyperperfusion after endovascular stroke treatment: a prospective comparative study of TCD versus MRI

BackgroundIncreased middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocities on transcranial duplex sonography (TCD) were recently reported in individual patients after successful mechanical thrombectomy (MT) and were related to intracranial hemorrhage...

Ultrasonography for Serial Monitoring and Management of Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamic Disorders After Decompressive Craniectomy.

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is widely used to treat intracranial hypertension following severe head injury. However, impairments of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hydrodynamics such as hydrocephalus and subdural effusion are common complications that occur after DC. Therefore, monitoring of intracranial pressure is a staple of neurocritical care post-DC. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of transcranial duplex sonography (TDS) for serial monitoring and management of CSF disorders after DC. A total of 100 patients who underwent DC between June 2016 and May 2019 were recruited for the study. Transcranial duplex sonography examinations were performed between 1-day and 1-year post-DC. Transcranial duplex sonography was mainly used for monitoring changes in ventricle size and morphology, and also to monitor intraventricular hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, intracranial hygromas, and ventricle changes during CSF release procedures. A total of 456 TDS examinations were performed on patients after DC. Of these, 402 were performed in the neuro-intensive care unit. Two patients had intraventricular hemorrhage and underwent TDS-guided external ventricular drainage. Twenty-nine patients were diagnosed with hydrocephalus. The results of TDS were consistent with those of cranial computed tomography. Three cases of ventriculoperitoneal shunt and 1 case of lumbar peritoneal shunt underwent valve pressure reset according to TDS, to obtain satisfactory ventricle size. Transcranial duplex sonography was used to monitor ventricle changes and control drainage volume during CSF release procedures, including 2 external ventricular drainage, 6 external lumbar drainage, and 10 lumbar punctures. Eighteen patients were detected with single or multiple intracranial effusions, including 16 subdural hygromas, 5 longitudinal fissure hygromas, and 6 brain cysts. Transcranial duplex sonography can efficiently help monitor changes in ventricle size and morphology and intracranial effusions. Due to its noninvasive nature, suitability for bedside application, real-time, and inexpensiveness, TDS can significantly replace cranial computed tomography and become part of the patient's daily inspection work after DC.

Transcranial Duplex Ultrasonography Measurements Towards Identification of Blood Vessel Conditions: Artificial Cerebral Blood Flow in Pathologies

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate how cerebral vasospasm, vasodilation and haemorrhage under artificial circulation conditions during cardiopulmonary bypass affect transcranial duplex ultrasonography measurements. A description of transcranial duplex ultrasonography and phantom development is provided. Measurements were made using a commercially available ultrasound system and cardiopulmonary bypass machine, water phantom and 32% glycerol solution with cornstarch. The experiments showed that the cerebral blood vessel condition in artificial circulation affects transcranial duplex ultrasonography measurement limit values. The most sensitive parameter for blood vessel condition changes is Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV) for which changes were observed in 100% of cases. The most insensitive was Time-Averaged Peak-Velocity (TAPV), and Minimum Diastolic Velocity (MDV) for which changes were observed in 83% of cases.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in patients suffering from acute non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage—A single center follow-up study

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an important complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), that may delay surgical or endovascular treatment and may influence patient outcome. This prospective follow-up study intended to collect data on the prevalence, severity, influencing factors and long-term outcome of TTC in patients suffering from non-traumatic SAH. Consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of non-traumatic SAH were included. Intitial assessment consisted of cranial CT, Hunt-Hess, Fisher and WFNS scoring, 12-lead ECG, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transcranial duplex sonography and collecting laboratory parameters (CK, CK-MB, cardiac troponin T, NT-proBNP and urine metanephrine and normetanephrine). Diagnosis of TTC was based on modified Mayo criteria. TTC patients were dichotomized to mild and severe forms. Follow-up of TTE, Glasgow Outcome Scale assessment, Barthel's and Karnofsky scoring occurred on days 30 and 180. One hundred thirty six patients were included. The incidence of TTC in the entire cohort was 28.7%; of them, 20.6% and 8.1% were mild and severe, respectively. TTC was more frequent in females (30/39; 77%) than in males (9/39; 23%) and was more severe. The occurrence of TTC was related to mFisher scores and WFNS scores. Although the severity of TTC was related to mFisher score, Hunt-Hess score, WFNS score and GCS, multivariate analysis showed the strongest relationship with mFisher scores. Ejection fraction differences between groups were present on day 30, but disappeared by day 180, whereas wall motion score index was still higher in the severe TTC group at day 180. By the end of the follow-up period (180 days), 70 (74.5%) patients survived in the non-TTC, 22 (81.5%) in the mild TTC and 3 (27%) in the severe TTC group (n = 11) (p = 0.002). At day 180, GOS, Barthel, and Karnofsky outcome scores were higher in patients in the control (non-TTC) and the mild TTC groups than in the severe TTC group. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a frequent finding in patients with SAH, and severe TTC may be present in 8% of SAH cases. The severity of TTC may be an independent predictor of mortality and outcome at 6 months after disease onset. Therefore, a regular follow-up of ECG and TTE abnormalities is warranted in patients with subrachnoid hemorrhage for early detection of TTC. The study was registered at the Clinical Trials Register under the registration number of NCT02659878 (date of registration: January 21, 2016).

Additional ultrasound capabilities for local haemodynamically significant carotid deformity: a one-stage observational study

Background. Despite a wide range of studies, no consensus has been reached on the relative weight of ultrasound parameters for assessing local haemodynamically significant carotid deformations.Objectives. To estimate a diagnostic value for an additional multiparametric ultrasound parameter for local haemodynamically significant carotid deformations.Methods. In the first phase, 388 patients underwent an outpatient multiparametric ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries. The study involved patients of the age of 18 and older with a primary referral for carotid ultrasound by a resident physician, neurologist or cardiologist in order to rule out a carotid pathology. As a supplement to the main haemodynamic significance assessment parameters, we introduced an additional metric — the deformity coefficient – in order to diagnose carotid abnormalities. Based on the first phase results, two cohorts were selected. Cohort 1 (control) consisted of patients with no abnormalities in multiparametric carotid ultrasound. Cohort 2 consisted of patients with isolated unilateral internal carotid artery deformities at no haemodynamically significant stenosis of common and internal carotid arteries in multiparametric carotid ultrasound. In the second phase, the patients underwent transcranial duplex sonography of the middle cerebral arteries, in order to detect regional haemodynamically significant internal carotid artery deformities.Results. Mathematical modelling of abnormal arteries produced the empirical upper deformity coefficient thresholds to distinguish acute angulation. This value is >1.41 for C-shaped and >1.34 — for S-shaped curves.Subsequent statistical analysis revealed a clear positive correlation between angulation and the deformity coefficient at a p < 0.01 significance level. More acute angulation corresponds to higher coefficient values.The Spearman correlation between the deformity coefficient and blood flow asymmetry values for middle cerebral artery was 0.89. This defines a significant positive correlation (higher deformity coefficient corresponds to higher blood flow asymmetry) at a p < 0.01 significance level.Conclusion. The deformity coefficient is an additional ultrasound parameter for assessing local haemodynamically significant carotid abnormalities.

Transcranial duplex sonography in assessing microsurgical treatment outcome for patients with ruptured cerebral artery aneurysms

Study objective. To determine the role of transcranial duplex sonography measurements in prognosing the risk of adverse outcome in patients with nontraumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage.Materials and Methods. In 2010–2020 413 patients admitted to N. V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine of Moscow Healthcare Department with aneurysmatic subarachnoid haemorrhage were enrolled into the study, including 201 males (48.7 %) and 212 females (51.3 %). Mean age was 51 ± 12 years. All patients were treated surgically (aneurysm clipping). Patients’ status on admission and before surgery was evaluated according to Hunt and Hess scoring system. Transcranial duplex sonography was conducted in all patients on admission, before surgical treatment and on a daily basis after aneurysm clipping (up to the 10th day after aneurysm rupture, 2,612 examinations in total). The degree of angiospasm in middle cerebral artery, Lindegaard ratio and the presence of diffuse angiospasm in all arteries of Willis circle were assessed according to a previously described classification system. Brain computed tomography scans were used to determine the extent of subarachnoid haemorrhage according to C. M. Fisher scale and volume of ischemic lesions in areas supplied by middle cerebral artery. Outcomes were rated according to Glasgow Outcome Scale. Study sample was divided into two groups according to outcome. Group 1: adverse outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale 1–3). Group 2: favorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale 4–5). Binary logistic regression was applied to reveal risk factors for adverse outcome. To define long-term treatment outcome 104 patients (68 females, 36 males) were examined using neurologic scoring systems: Modified Rankin Scale, Barthel Index, Mini-Mental State Exam, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.Results. Favorable outcome (group 2) was ascertained in 221 (53.5 %), unfavorable outcome (group 1) – in 192 (46.5 %) patients. The following independent risk factors for unfavorable outcome were detected: angiospasm in middle cerebral artery before surgery, severe angiospasm in middle cerebral artery and diffuse angiospasm. According to univariate analysis, daily increase in middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity by 51.6 cm / s was associated with adverse outcome either. Binary logistic regression model was able to predict unfavorable outcome with sensitivity 88.5 %, specificity 76.0 %. Daily increase in middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity by 58.7 cm / s was associated with Modified Rankin Scale increase by 1 point. Angiospasm proved to be strongly connected with cognitive and self-care ability impairment on follow-up.Conclusion. Ultrasonic signs of angiospasm in patients with aneurysmatic subarachnoid haemorrhage are independent predictors of adverse outcome and long-term results worsening.

Accuracy of bedside bidimensional transcranial ultrasound versus tomodensitometric measurement of the third ventricle

Background and PurposeTo evaluate the accuracy of transcranial duplex sonography (TCS) for measuring the diameter of the third ventricle (DTV) and the brain midline shift (MLS), as compared to cerebral CT.MethodsSingle‐center retrospective study including 177 patients admitted to the neurological intensive care unit (NICU). We studied the correlation between TCS and CT measurements of DTV and MLS using a Bland‐Altman analysis. The best threshold of DTV to diagnose acute hydrocephalus was evaluated with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.ResultsWe analyzed 177 pairs of CT‐TCS measurements for DTV and 165 for MLS. The mean time interval between CT and TCS was 87 ± 73 minutes. Median DTV measurement on CT was 4 ± 3 mm, and 5 ± 3 mm by TCS. Median MLS on CT was 2 ± 3 mm, and 2 ± 4 mm by TCS. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r 2) was .96 between TCS and CT measurements (p < .001). The Bland‐Altman analysis found a proportional bias of 0.69 mm for the DTV with a limit of agreement ranging between –3.04 and 2.53 mm. For the MLS, the proportional bias was 0.23 mm with limits of agreements between –3.5 and 3.95. The area under the ROC curve was .97 for the detection of hydrocephalus by DTV on TCS, with a best threshold of 5.72 mm (Sensitivity [Se] = 92% Specificity [Sp] = 92.1%).ConclusionsTCS seems to be a reliable and accurate bedside technique for measuring both DTV and MLS, which might allow detection of acute hydrocephalus among NICU patients.

Diagnosis and treatment of acute isolated proximal internal carotid artery occlusions: a narrative review.

The clinical manifestations of proximal (extracranial) internal carotid artery occlusions (pICAOs) may range from asymptomatic to acute, large, and devastating ischemic strokes. The etiology and pathophysiology of the occlusion, intracranial collateral status and patient's premorbid status are among the factors determining the clinical presentation and outcome of pICAOs. Rapid and accurate diagnosis is crucial and may be assisted by the combination of carotid and transcranial duplex sonography, or a computed tomography/magnetic resonance angiography (CTA/MRA). It should be noted that with either imaging modalities, the discrimination of a pseudo-occlusion of the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) from a true pICAO may not be straightforward. In the absence of randomized data, the management of acute, symptomatic pICAOs remains individualized and relies largely on expert opinion. Administration of intravenous thrombolysis is reasonable and probably beneficial in the settings of acute ischemic stroke with early presentation. Unfortunately, rates of recanalization are rather low and acute interventional reperfusion therapies emerge as a potentially powerful therapeutic option for patients with persistent and severe symptoms. However, none of the pivotal clinical trials on mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke randomized patients with isolated extracranial large vessel occlusions. On the contrary, several lines of evidence from non-randomized studies have shown that acute carotid endarterectomy, or endovascular thrombectomy/stenting of the ICA are feasible and safe, and pοtentially beneficial. The heterogeneity in the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of acute pICAOs renders patient selection for an acute interventional treatment a complicated decision-making process. The present narrative review will outline the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and possible treatment options for pICAOs.

State of intra- and extracranial arteries, white matter and cerebral cortex in asymptomatic hypertensive patients

Aim. To assess the state of intra- and extracranial arteries, white matter and cerebral cortex in asymptomatic hypertensive (HTN) patients according to multimodal examination.Material and methods. The study included data from 147 asymptomatic individuals (without prior ischemic stroke) with an established HTN (n=43; 29,3%) and without it. All participants underwent extracranial duplex ultrasound, transcranial duplex sonography, detection of middle cerebral artery microembolism, and brain magnetic resonance imaging. We performed a statistical analysis of the data obtained, adjusted for age and body mass index.Results. In patients with HTN, atherosclerotic plaques were more often detected — 37,2 vs 14,4% on the right (p=0,027) and 41,9 vs 13,5% on the left (p=0,001). In these patients, intima-media abnormalities and common carotid artery narrowing were also more common. Regional temporal lobe atrophy (p=0,044 on the right and p=0,046 on the left), central atrophy (p=0,045), focal periventricular white matter abnormalities (p=0,004) were more pronounced in hypertensive patients. There was no association between HTN and the presence of cerebral microbleeds, as well as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score.Conclusion. In asymptomatic hypertensive patients relative to those without HTN, with comparable body mass index and age, head arterial abnormalities are more pronounced, but this regards only large ones — the common carotid artery. In these patients, more pronounced white matter and cerebral cortex changes were revealed.

Classification of Intracranial Stenoses: Discrepancies between Transcranial Duplex Sonography and Computed Tomography Angiography

Transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCS) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) are widely used to identify intracranial stenoses (ISs). We assessed concordance of IS grading between TCCS and CTA and proposed new TCCS criteria for severe IS ≥70%. One hundred two stroke patients (70 ± 13 y) with TCCS-identified IS were included. TCCS and CTA were performed within 24 h after admission. TCCS peak systolic velocity cutoffs for <50%/50%–69% stenoses were ≥155/≥220 cm/s (middle cerebral artery [MCA]-M1), ≥100/≥140 cm/s (MCA-M2), ≥120/≥155 cm/s (anterior cerebral artery [ACA]-A1), ≥100/≥145 cm/s (posterior cerebral artery [PCA]-P1 and PCA-P2), ≥90/≥120 cm/s (vertebral artery [VA]-V4) and ≥100/≥140 cm/s (basilar artery [BA]). Criteria for ≥70% stenoses were, despite variable flow velocities, post-stenotic flow alterations and/or leptomeningeal collateral flow. One hundred seventy-seven ISs were detected by TCCS. The number and grade (<50%/50%–69%/≥70%) of ISs were MCA 70 (39/19/12), BA 24 (9/11/4), ACA 21 (14/7/0), PCA 49 (29/15/5) and VA 13 (2/6/5). IS localization was confirmed by CTA in 84 of 177 cases (48%): MCA, 41/70 (59%); BA, 16/24 (67%); ACA 2/21, (10%); PCA, 17/49 (35%); VA, 8/13 (62%). Concordance between TCCS and CTA grading was (<50%/50%–69%/≥70%) 17%/19%/77%. TCCS and CTA exhibited substantial differences in the detection and grading of IS. Higher concordance rates for severe stenosis support our proposed TCCS criteria.

Brain ultrasonography: methodology, basic and advanced principles and clinical applications. A narrative review.

Brain ultrasonography can be used to evaluate cerebral anatomy and pathology, as well as cerebral circulation through analysis of blood flow velocities. Transcranial colour-coded duplex sonography is a generally safe, repeatable, non-invasive, bedside technique that has a strong potential in neurocritical care patients in many clinical scenarios, including traumatic brain injury, aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, hydrocephalus, and the diagnosis of cerebral circulatory arrest. Furthermore, the clinical applications of this technique may extend to different settings, including the general intensive care unit and the emergency department. Its increasing use reflects a growing interest in non-invasive cerebral and systemic assessment. The aim of this manuscript is to provide an overview of the basic and advanced principles underlying brain ultrasonography, and to review the different techniques and different clinical applications of this approach in the monitoring and treatment of critically ill patients.

A High Prevalence of Intracranial Stenosis in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and the Diagnostic Value of Transcranial Duplex Sonography

Background: According to the data from the population-based Rotterdam study, intracranial carotid artery calcification detected by computed tomography is very common and contributed to 75% of all strokes. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of intracranial stenosis (IS) using noninvasive transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCS) in neurologically asymptomatic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Three hundred and eighty-nine patients with angiographically-confirmed, severe CAD were included prospectively. All of them were examined using extracranial and TCCS. Results: Out of 389 patients (age 66.7 ± 9.2, 39-88), 237 (61%) were diagnosed with 3 vessels disease and 152 patients (39%) with left stem disease with/without 3 vessels damage. Transcranial sonography revealed at least 1 IS in 63.6% of echo positive patients (220/346). IS was found in 127 (61.4%) patients with 3 vessels disease, 20 patients (58.8%) with isolated left stem disease, and 73 patients (69.5%) with 3 vessels and left stem disease (P = .305). In the case of significant (≥50%) extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis, intracranial stenosis were detected in 84.8% (50 of 59), in the case of mild (<50%) stenosis, in 59.2% (170 of 287), P < .001. Conclusions: It was found that two thirds of patients with advanced CAD have a silent IS. TCCS is a reliable method for the evaluation of intracranial atherosclerosis in such patients in order to gain useful information about cerebrovascular disease as a risk factor for stroke.

Abnormal Blood Flow on Transcranial Duplex Sonography Predicts Poor Outcome After Stroke Thrombectomy.

Background and Purpose- Hemodynamic changes following mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel occlusion stroke could be associated with complications and might affect prognosis. We investigated postinterventional middle cerebral artery blood flow on transcranial duplex sonography (TCD) and its prognostic value for anterior large vessel occlusion stroke patients. Methods- We identified all ischemic stroke patients who had undergone mechanical thrombectomy for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion from 2010 onwards. Postinterventional middle cerebral artery flow was graded according to the sonographic Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia score and related to patient outcome stratified by the angiographic Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction reperfusion status. Results- Of 215 large vessel occlusion stroke patients, 193 patients (90%) showed successful angiographic recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction grade 2b-3). Of those, 69 (36%) patients had abnormal sonographic middle cerebral artery blood flow (Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia grade 0-4) within 72 hours after mechanical thrombectomy, which was an independent predictor for poor 90-day outcome. Conclusions- TCD indicates abnormal middle cerebral artery hemodynamics in a substantial proportion of patients with angiographically defined successful mechanical thrombectomy of the anterior cerebral circulation. Such changes are associated with poor short-term outcome.

Transcranial duplexsonography in patients with type 1 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Increased middle cerebral artery mean blood flow velocity index after stroke thrombectomy indicates increased risk for intracranial hemorrhage

Background and purposeCerebral hyperperfusion has been related to the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in stroke patients after vessel recanalization therapy. We hypothesized that after successful mechanical thrombectomy for acute...

Transcranial Duplex Sonography Predicts Outcome following an Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Several radiologic features such as hematoma volume are related to poor outcome following an intracerebral hemorrhage and can be measured with transcranial duplex sonography. We sought to determine the prognostic value of transcranial duplex sonography in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. We conducted a prospective study of patients diagnosed with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Transcranial duplex sonography examinations were performed within 2 hours of baseline CT, and we recorded the following variables: hematoma volume, midline shift, third ventricle and lateral ventricle diameters, and the pulsatility index in both MCAs. We correlated these data with the CT scans and assessed the prognostic value of the transcranial duplex sonography measurements. We assessed early neurologic deterioration during hospitalization and mortality at 1-month follow-up. We included 35 patients with a mean age of 72.2 ± 12.8 years. Median baseline hematoma volume was 9.85 mL (interquartile range, 2.74-68.29 mL). We found good agreement and excellent correlation between transcranial duplex sonography and CT when measuring hematoma volume (r = 0.791; P < .001) and midline shift (r = 0.827; P < .001). The logistic regression analysis with transcranial duplex sonography measurements showed that hematoma volume was an independent predictor of early neurologic deterioration (OR, 1.078; 95% CI, 1.023-1.135) and mortality (OR, 1.089; 95% CI, 1.020-1.160). A second regression analysis with CT variables also demonstrated that hematoma volume was associated with early neurologic deterioration and mortality. When we compared the rating operation curves of both models, their predictive power was similar. Transcranial duplex sonography showed an excellent correlation with CT in assessing hematoma volume and midline shift in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. Hematoma volume measured with transcranial duplex sonography was an independent predictor of poor outcome.

Forceful Monitoring after Acute Pediatric Stroke Can Help Identify the Etiology

Background/Purpose: Pediatric stroke, with 300 cases per year in Germany, is a rare disease and the cause is often unaccounted for. We report on 2 patients in whom we diagnosed a cerebral vasculitis and their follow-up including cranial MRI, lumbar puncture and transcranial duplex sonography.

Asymptomatic polyvascular disease and the risks of cardiovascular events and all-cause death

Background and aimsAtherosclerosis is a diffuse and systemic disease. We aimed to assess prevalence and outcome of extracoronary polyvascular disease (polyVD) in the asymptomatic Chinese community population. MethodsA random sample of 5440 participants aged 40 years or older were enrolled in the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community Study from 2010 to 2011. Intracranial artery stenosis, extracranial artery stenosis, and lower extremity artery disease were detected by transcranial Doppler and duplex sonography, and by calculating the ankle brachial index. The study endpoints included the first occurrence of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) and all-cause death. ResultsPolyVD (two or three affected vascular territories) was found in 3.0% of the participants, and was significantly higher in men (4.3%). Over a median follow-up of 4.1 years, we identified a total of 247 events (4.7%), including 83 strokes (68 ischemic), 45 MIs and 134 all-cause deaths. After adjusting for age, gender and other potential confounders, we found a significant increase in risk of major cardiovascular events as well as all-cause death in participants with polyVD. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) (95% confidence interval, CI) for the composite of stroke, MI and all-cause death for single and poly-vascular disease (compared with 0 vascular disease) increased from 1.58 (1.19–2.12) to 1.95 (1.26–3.03). Similarly, the adjusted HR (95% CI) for all-cause death for single and poly-vascular disease increased from 1.53 (1.03–2.29) to 2.22 (1.27–3.86). ConclusionsPolyVD significantly increased the risk of major cardiovascular events and all-cause death in the asymptomatic community population. Performing invasive screening tests for polyVD is useful in the high-risk asymptomatic population.