Noninvasive assessment of pulsatile hemodynamics in the cerebral microcirculation
Author(s)
Urner, Tara Margaret
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Abstract
This thesis investigates the potential of non-invasive assessment of pulsatile hemodynamics in the cerebral microcirculation using diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) for deriving biomarkers of vascular health. First, I systematically characterize DCS-derived blood flow waveforms in 30 healthy adults, revealing sensitivity of waveform morphology to changes in vascular tone. Next, I present a refined waveform analysis method that eliminates the need for an external physiological reference signal, enhancing the feasibility of clinical translation. Finally, I apply the improved method in a pilot clinical study of 25 subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients with vasospasm, revealing significant waveform morphology alterations associated with both brain injury and vasodilatory treatment. Together, these results highlight the potential of DCS-derived pulsatile hemodynamics as a biomarker of microvascular function in health and disease.
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Date
2025-05-01
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Dissertation