Observational Examination of Cerebral Perfusion Changes in Patients Diagnosed with Sepsis Using Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND

Sepsis-associated Brain Dysfunction (SABD) affects over 70% of septic patients, often manifesting early and increasing the risk of neurological sequelae if undiagnosed. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography is a noninvasive, bedside method to assess Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF). This study evaluates temporal changes in middle cerebral artery blood flow in septic patients using Pulsatility Index (PI), Resistance Index (RI), and CBFi at 0, 6, 24, and 48 hours.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Forty-seven septic patients admitted to the Bursa Uludag University Intensive Care Unit were prospectively studied. Demographic data, comorbidities, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores, vital signs, laboratory parameters, and TCD measurements (PI, RI, CBFi) were recorded at baseline, 6, 24, and 48 hours.

RESULTS

No statistically significant changes were observed in PI, RI, or CBFi at 6, 24, or 48 hours compared to baseline (p>0.05), though slight increases in PI (2.13%) and CBFi (16.99%) were noted at 48 hours. A significant difference in PI was found at 48 hours in patients receiving vasoactive drugs (p<0.05), and in RI at 6 hours in those receiving sedoanalgesics (p<0.05). Stable systemic hemodynamics were maintained using advanced monitoring.

CONCLUSION

In septic patients with optimized hemodynamic management, cerebrovascular resistance and perfusion indices (PI, RI, CBFi) remain largely stable within 48 hours, suggesting effective autoregulation. TCD shows potential as a tool to monitor cerebral perfusion and guide therapy in sepsis, warranting further research.