Objective: To analyze cerebral hemodynamic changes by means of transcranial Doppler (TCD) and generally to explore the clinical application of this method in hyperlipemia patients.
Methods: Cerebral hemodynamics were detected by TCD in 63 patients with hyperlipidemia and compared with the hemodynamics of 64 health people.
Results: No statistically significant changes were found in the cerebral artery blood flow velocity and pulsatility index between the hyperlipidemic and control groups (P>0.05). Spectral shape, however, was abnormal in 52 patients in the hyperlipemia group (82.54%), which was statistically different (P<0.005) from controls. These abnormalities were classed as follows: 22 patients had abnormal spectra of the vertebrobasilar system, 2 patients had abnormal spectrum of the internal carotid arterial system, and 28 patients had abnormal spectra of both systems. The incidence of the abnormal spectra in vertebrobasilar system was significantly higher than the internal carotidartery (P<0.005).
Conclusion: TCD examination can reveal abnormal spectral shape in the cerebralartery and vertebrobasilar arterial systems in hyperlipidemia patients, and thus has some clinical value in determining changes in the brain of patients with high cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis.