Doppler flow measurements in the assessment of carotid artery stenosis
Hassam, R.M.; Evill, C.A.; Brophy, B.P.; Sage, M.R.
Australasian Radiology 31(4): 365-370
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-8461 PMID: 2968785 Document Number: 301051
This study aimed to determine if the structural changes found in intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV-DSA) studies of the extracranial carotid arteries can be related to changes in carotid blood flow, as measured by an ultrasonic Quantitative Volume Flow Meter (QFM), and thereby enable the elimination of normal patients from unnecessary IV-DSA. QFM blood flow measurements were performed on patients referred for investigation of suspected extracranial carotid artery disease by IV-DSA. The blood flow and velocity, high to low flow ratio, and % velocity difference of both carotid arteries in each patient were determined, and the correlation between these values, individually and combined, and the results obtained from DSA, were determined. Analysis of results for individual arteries indicated only a weak correlation between blood flow values alone and carotid artery morphology. However, if a combination of the Doppler parameters was used, the sensitivity of the QFM greatly increased. The QFM was able to identify correctly 36% of the 50 patients referred for IV-DSA as having insignificant disease, and therefore it may have value as a first line of investigation in the selection of patients for IV-DSA.