Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Prevalence of cerebral microemboli in systemic lupus erythematosus: transcranial Doppler
1Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Insights
Microemboli detected by transcranial Doppler (TCD) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) occurred in 9.8% of cases. These events were linked to valve surgery and disease activity, not traditional stroke factors.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular events.
- Identifying predictors of stroke in SLE patients is crucial for risk stratification.
- Transcranial Doppler (TCD) can detect microembolic signals (MES) as indicators of embolic activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of microemboli using TCD in patients diagnosed with SLE.
- To identify potential predictors associated with the presence of TCD-detected microemboli in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 167 patients with SLE underwent TCD examinations.
- Microembolic events were identified and quantified during TCD testing.
- Statistical analysis was performed to determine predictors, including valve surgery history, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), antiphospholipid antibodies, and carotid plaque presence.
Main Results:
- Microembolic events were detected in 15 out of 153 (9.8%) SLE patients who completed TCD.
- Predictors for TCD microemboli included prior valve repair or replacement (p < 0.0001) and a higher SLEDAI score (p = 0.07).
- No significant association was found between TCD microemboli and antiphospholipid antibodies or carotid atherosclerotic plaque.
Conclusions:
- TCD-detected microemboli may serve as a noninvasive marker for stroke risk assessment in SLE patients.
- These microembolic events in SLE appear unrelated to conventional stroke risk factors.
- Further longitudinal studies are warranted to establish the predictive value of TCD microemboli for future stroke events in SLE.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence and predictors of microemboli on transcranial Doppler (TCD) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Methods:
One hundred sixty-seven patients with SLE underwent TCD testing. RESULTS. Fifteen of 153 patients (9.8%) who successfully underwent TCD testing had microembolic events. Predictors of TCD microemboli included valve repair or replacement (p < 0.0001) and higher SLE Disease Activity Index (p = 0.07). Antiphospholipid antibodies and atherosclerotic plaque on carotid duplex were not associated with TCD microemboli.
Conclusion:
TCD microemboli may represent a noninvasive method to ascertain risk of stroke in SLE. TCD microemboli are not associated with traditional stroke risk factors. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine if TCD microemboli are predictive of future stroke in SLE.
