Cerebral vasoreactivity by transcranial Doppler in carbon disulfide poisoning cases in Korea

The abnormalities of cerebral vasoreactivity were evaluated in CS₂ poisoning cases. In 34 retired workers with CS₂ poisoning (case group) and 20 healthy individuals (control group), blood flow velocities were measured in the middle cerebral arteries (MCA) by transcranial Doppler. Compared with the control group, the case group showed lower mean values of blood flow velocities and pulsatile indices. The differences in CO₂ reactivities of both groups were remarkable (1.10-2.19% decrease/mmHg CO₂ for cases and 3.35-5.08 for controls). Multiple regression analyses were conducted to adjust the effect of age, sex, and exposure level (non-low-high exposure) to CO₂ reactivity and pulsatile index. The exposure level was statistically significant in the regression model for CO₂ reactivity of both MCA and for pulsatile index of the right MCA. Our study noted a decrease of CO₂ reactivity and pulsatile index of cerebral vessels related with CS₂ exposure. These findings suggested that CS₂ exposure could lead to a decrease of cerebral vasoreactivities by the atherosclerotic change of cerebral vessels.