Continuous-wave Doppler of vertebral arteries in noninvasive diagnosis and management of vertebro-basilar TIAs

Angiology. 1988 Apr;39(4):365-70. doi: 10.1177/000331978803900406.

Abstract

Continuous-wave Doppler and angiography of the vertebro-basilar system were used in 38 patients with vertebro-basilar transient ischemic attacks. 63 vertebral arteries were studied. Among 47 normal Doppler parameters, 46 were confirmed by angiography. The sonographic diagnostic procedure showed a very high negative predictive value (97.87%), while the positive predictive value was relatively low (56.25%). Data from literature were reviewed. The authors suggest that when Doppler of vertebral arteries is negative, there is a very low probability that a follow-up angiography will reveal pathologic conditions calling for a surgical approach.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ultrasonography*
  • Vertebral Artery / pathology
  • Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / diagnosis*