What can be inferred about pulsatile signals from the vertebral artery during a cerebrovascular exam?

In the context of a cerebrovascular exam, pulsatile signals from the vertebral artery can often be indicative of various physiological conditions. The presence of pulsatile signals suggests a relationship with vascular function and can potentially indicate other influences, such as venous signals. This is relevant because the vertebral artery's proximity to venous structures can lead to confounding signals in Doppler ultrasound assessments.

Pulsatile signals that are observed may not solely equate to healthy arterial flow; they can also be influenced by pressure waves from adjacent veins. Thus, interpreting these signals requires a thorough understanding of both arterial and venous anatomy as well as their interactions during blood flow measurement. Therefore, the correct inference about pulsatile signals is that they can suggest the presence of venous signals, highlighting the complexity of interpreting such data in cerebrovascular assessments.