Transcranial doppler in sickle cell anaemia: evaluation of brain blood flow parameters in children of Aracaju, Northeast-Brazil

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2008 Jun;66(2B):360-4. doi: 10.1590/s0004-282x2008000300015.

Abstract

Background: Environmental factors interfere on sickle cell anaemia (SCA). Transcanial Doppler (TCD) is important to evaluate cerebrovascular disease.

Objective: To evaluate brain haemodynamic profile of children with SCA in Sergipe.

Methods: Cross sectional study (group1: SCA patients aged 3-18; group2: age and sex matched healthy individuals). Baseline brain flow was evaluated.

Results: Group1=34 patients; group 2=81 controls. SCA patients had mean velocity (MV)=125.69 cm/s+/-23.40; pulsatility index (PI)=0.66+/-0.10; middle cerebral artery ratio (MCAr)=14.53+/-15.23; right anterior cerebral artery/right middle cerebral artery=0.77+/-0.20; left anterior cerebral artery/left middle cerebral artery=0.78+/-0.20. Controls had MV=79.44+/-15.54; PI=0.82+/-0.11; MCAr=13.19+/-13.77; right anterior cerebral artery/right middle cerebral artery=0.80+/-0.16; left anterior cerebral artery/left middle cerebral artery=0.84+/-0.18. MV and PI differences were statistically significant between groups. MV was related to age but not to gender.

Conclusion: MV evaluation using TCD was similar to international standards and possible to be used in our setting.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / complications
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / physiopathology
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Brain / blood supply*
  • Brazil
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / etiology
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Cerebral Artery / diagnostic imaging*
  • Middle Cerebral Artery / physiopathology
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial