Jurnal Ilmu Kedokteran dan Kesehatan Indonesia
Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026): Juli: Jurnal Ilmu Kedokteran dan Kesehatan Indonesia

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) Examination is One of the Ancillary Investigations Used to Establish the Diagnosis of Brain Death

Crodia Hernandes (Universitas Gadjah Mada)
Bowo Adiyanto (Universitas Gadjah Mada)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Apr 2026

Abstract

Background: The determination of brain death relies primarily on clinical neurological assessment; however, ancillary investigations are often required when standard examination or apnea testing cannot be fully performed. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography offers a noninvasive bedside method to assess cerebral hemodynamics and may provide supportive evidence of severely impaired cerebral perfusion. Case Presentation: We report a serial case of critically ill patients with severe neurological impairment following cardiac arrest, in whom TCD was performed as part of the evaluation for suspected brain death. TCD examinations focused on intracranial arterial flow patterns, particularly within the middle cerebral artery. The observed waveforms demonstrated high-resistance pulsatile flow with markedly reduced diastolic velocities, reflecting impaired cerebral perfusion rather than immediate cerebral circulatory arrest. Serial neurological deterioration and neuroimaging findings were consistent with severe hypoxic–ischemic brain injury. Conclusion: Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography serves as a valuable ancillary tool in the assessment of suspected brain death by providing real-time information on cerebral blood flow dynamics. Although TCD should not replace clinical criteria, its bedside availability and ability to demonstrate evolving high-resistance flow patterns make it a useful supportive modality in selected clinical situations.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jikki

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Public Health

Description

Jurnal Ilmu Kedokteran dan Kesehatan Indonesia (JIKKI), ISSN: 2827-797X online dan ISSN:2827-8488 cetak. Jurnal JIKKI diterbitkan Amik Veteran Porwokerto, terbit setahun Tiga kali (Maret, Juli dan November) menerapkan proses peer-review dalam memilih artikel berkualitas berdasarkan penelitian ilmiah ...