Effect of ultrasound on thrombolysis of middle cerebral artery occlusion

We studied the effect of transcranial 2MHz Doppler ultrasound (US) on the recanalization and outcome of stroke patients suffering from acute middle cerebral artery occlusion. All patients underwent intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator thrombolysis. Eleven patients were randomly selected for continuous US monitoring (C-US) over 1 hour; 14 patients were selected for the control group. The C-US group showed a higher grade of recanalization after 1 hour but also a higher number of intraparenchymal bleedings. Overall, a favorable functional outcome occurred more frequently in the C-US group (Barthel index, p = 0.037) after 3 months.