Transcranial Doppler ultrasound in therapeutic hypothermia for children after resuscitation

Aim of the study The aim of the present study was to assess the cerebral flow in children receiving therapeutic hypothermia after resuscitation. The prognostic value of transcranial Doppler findings was correlated with the clinical outcomes in these children. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the paediatric intensive care unit of Chang Gung Children's Hospital between January 2011 and December 2012. All children from 1 month to 18 years of age who received therapeutic hypothermia after resuscitation were eligible. Serial transcranial Doppler examinations were performed and the findings were reviewed. Results Seventeen children met the eligibility criteria for this study. Fourteen patients (82.3%) were asphyxial in aetiology, and 12 (70.5%) of these cases occurred outside of the hospital. Eight patients (47.1%) had a Paediatric Cerebral Performance Score of 1 or 2 at 3 months after the events. Reversal diastolic or undetectable flow patterns during therapeutic hypothermia were associated with unfavourable prognosis. Normal mean flow velocity in the rewarming phase and normal pulsatility index in the hypothermia and rewarming phases were associated with favourable outcome. Conclusion The transcranial Doppler examinations provided additional information for cerebral perfusion during therapeutic hypothermia, which may in the future be used to guide changes to hypothermia management. Mean cerebral blood flow velocity and pulsatility index by transcranial Doppler sonography can serve as a prognostic factor for children who receive therapeutic hypothermia after resuscitation.