[Increased cerebrovascular reactivity and risk factors for ischaemic stroke in patients with inadequate circulation in the posterior circle of Willis].

UNLABELLED: Since ischaemic stroke (IS) is very widespread, a rapid development of ultrasound diagnostic techniques searching the relationship between cerebral circulation efficiency and pathophysiology of ischemic lesions is observed. The aim of our study was to evaluate blood flow velocity (BFV) and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) of some anterior circulation arteries (MCA) and posterior circulation arteries (PCA, VA) in relation of IS risk factors in patients with posterior circulation insufficiency.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 40 patients (13 female, 27 male) of mean age 56.9 +/- 12.9 yr. Neurological examination, brain CT and TCD were performed in each patient. All patients underwent TCD examination including evaluation BFV of both MCA's, PCA's and VA's using TC 2020 Pioneer (EME). Control group consisted of 22 healthy volunteers of mean age 59.6 +/- 6.3 yr.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: BFV and CVR of MCA, PCA, VA in examined patients were similar compared to controls. CVR of MCA's were not significant different compared to CVR of PCA's and VA's. Impaired CVR may be connected with ischaemic heart disease and TIA, while coexisting arterial hypertension may cause increased CVR.