Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of the radial and ulnar arteries in hemiparetic patients after stroke

• Published in: Journal of clinical ultrasound 2014-06, Vol.42 (5), p.277-282
• Main Authors: Tiftik, Tülay, Kara, Murat, Özcan, Hatice Nursun, Türkkan, Canan, Ural, Fatma Gülçin, Ekiz, Timur, Akkuş, Selami, Özçakar, Levent
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood Flow Velocity - physiology; Doppler ultrasound; Female; hand artery; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Paresis - diagnostic imaging; Paresis - etiology; Paresis - physiopathology; Pulsatile Flow - physiology; Radial Artery - diagnostic imaging; Radial Artery - physiopathology; Regional Blood Flow - physiology; stroke; Stroke - complications; Stroke - diagnostic imaging; Stroke - physiopathology; sympathetic skin response; Ulnar Artery - diagnostic imaging; Ulnar Artery - physiopathology; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color - methods; Vascular Resistance - physiology; Wrist - blood supply; Wrist - diagnostic imaging
• ISSN: 0091-2751; 1097-0096
• DOI: 10.1002/jcu.22127

ABSTRACT Background To evaluate blood flow of hand arteries (using Doppler ultrasonography) and sympathetic skin response (SSR) in patients with hemiparesis. Methods Fifty‐six stroke patients (30 M, 26 F) with unilateral hemiparesis (age 53.5 ± 10.8 years, mean disease duration 12.0 ± 19.1 months) were included. The patients' arm and hand motor functions were assessed according to Brunnstrom's stages. SSR was evaluated bilaterally from median nerves at the wrist level. Radial and ulnar artery blood flow was measured at the wrist in the neutral position. Results Both radial and ulnar artery volume flow and end diastolic velocity, and radial artery diameter were smaller on the paretic side (all p