Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-67/11
Title and Subtitle: The biophysical basis and clinical applications of rheoencephalography.
Report Date: May 1967
Authors: Seipel JH.
Abstract: A method for screening large populations for asymptomatic but potentially incapacitating cerebrovascular disease has obvious application in aviation medicine. Rheoencephalography (REG), a simple, rapid and innocuous method of studying the cranial circulation, was investigated for this purpose. A standardized, repeatable method involving tracing during brief arterial compressions was developed and is fully described. A 95% predictive accuracy in diagnosis and localization of carotid occlusive disease is demonstrated in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency.
A significant number of asymptomatic, medically certified normal airmen are found to be potential stroke candidates by the same method. Individual extra- and intra-cranial arterial circulatory components are demonstrated for the first time. Previously reported difficulties in REG diagnosis are elucidated. The potential value of REG screening of normal populations for cerebrovascular anomalies and early disease is demonstrated.
Key Words: cerebrovascular system, diseases, electroencephalography, blood vessels, brain, blood circulation, arteries, diagnosis (medicine), obstruction (physiology), aviation medicine.
No. of Pages: 63
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-67/11
Title and Subtitle: The biophysical basis and clinical applications of rheoencephalography.
Report Date: May 1967
Authors: Seipel JH.
Abstract: A method for screening large populations for asymptomatic but potentially incapacitating cerebrovascular disease has obvious application in aviation medicine. Rheoencephalography (REG), a simple, rapid and innocuous method of studying the cranial circulation, was investigated for this purpose. A standardized, repeatable method involving tracing during brief arterial compressions was developed and is fully described. A 95% predictive accuracy in diagnosis and localization of carotid occlusive disease is demonstrated in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency.
A significant number of asymptomatic, medically certified normal airmen are found to be potential stroke candidates by the same method. Individual extra- and intra-cranial arterial circulatory components are demonstrated for the first time. Previously reported difficulties in REG diagnosis are elucidated. The potential value of REG screening of normal populations for cerebrovascular anomalies and early disease is demonstrated.
Key Words: cerebrovascular system, diseases, electroencephalography, blood vessels, brain, blood circulation, arteries, diagnosis (medicine), obstruction (physiology), aviation medicine.
No. of Pages: 63
Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012