. EVALUATION OF CEREBRAL CIRCULATION BY USE OF TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLER UL TRASONOGRAPHY IN HEMODIAL YSIS PATIENTS

Abstract

Patients undergoing hemodialysis therapy are increasingly at risk for cerebrovascular ishcemic stroke. There are many patients and dialysis related factors that could influence the changes in cerebral blood flow induced by hemodialysis.

At present, there is practical, non invasive and reliable method for studying such changes in cerebral blood flow, which seems to be potentially preventable or at least diminished if patients and dialysis related ' risk factors are appropriately modified, particularly those patients defined to

be at much increased risk. The hope is to provide a background information as to help• to improve the chance of reducing the incidence of cerebrovascular ishcemic insults in hemodialysis patients. Screening patients on maintenance hemodialysis therapy for assessment of cerebral blood flow together with identifying the clinical and laboratory variables found in context to that such reduction, are probably the most appropriate initial step that could be helpful to reduce the likelihood of developing cerebrovascular ischemic stroke in these patients.

Recruitment of patients diagnosed to have end-stage renal disease on regular intermittent hemodialysis therapy in Hemodialysis Unite at Suez Canal University hospital, 32 patients that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria completed the study.

History taking, physical examination aimed at obtaining information on age, sex, duration of hemodialysis, mode of dialysis, co- morbid medical diseases and medications used was obtained. Physical examination including body weight, blood pressure and heart rate were