DETECTION OF EMBOLIC SIGNALS USING DOPPLER ULTRASOUND - A NEW APPROACH TO CARDIAC EMBOLISM

Cerebral embolism from cardiac, aortic or carotid cause can be detecte d by Doppler examination of carotid arteries or transcranial Doppler w ith long-duration recordings. The signals detected called HITS (high i ntensity transient signals), which have been described in vitro and in vivo, have specific physical characteristics. This novel technique is considered promising in establishing the relationship between the dis covery of embolic heart disease and its clinical neurological manifest ations. In the evaluation of a stroke, the detection of HITS could pro vide evidence in support of an embolic cause. The areas of application of this new technique are many: screening for asymptomatic embolism i n patients with an embolic cardiac disorder, and effects of antiplatel et and anticoagulant medications or surgical treatments. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.