What is the normal direction of flow in the anterior cerebral artery during a TCD exam?

The normal direction of flow in the anterior cerebral artery during a Transcranial Doppler (TCD) exam is antegrade, meaning the blood flows in the expected forward direction towards the brain's tissue. In a healthy adult, the anterior cerebral artery typically exhibits this normal antegrade flow, which is essential for adequate cerebral perfusion.

In contrast, retrograde flow refers to the blood moving backward, which can occur in certain pathological conditions but is not the expected result in a normal TCD examination. Bidirectional flow may indicate fluctuations in vascular resistance or other complex flow dynamics but does not reflect the usual antegrade flow pattern. Variable flow suggests inconsistent flow directions, which could be caused by various physiological or pathological processes and does not represent standard findings.

Understanding the expected antegrade flow in the anterior cerebral artery is important for identifying abnormalities that may signify clinical issues, making it essential for RVTs to grasp this concept thoroughly.