Evaluation of the Ophtalmic Artery Flow Pattern with Color-Doppler Ultrasonography in the Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis

Abstract

Purpose: To assess whether ophtalmic artery flow patterns reflect the status of cerebral circulation in patients with carotid artery stenosis.

Material and Method: Twenty-four patients including 14 men and 10 women, with varying degrees of monolateral or bilateral carotid artery stenosis were included in the study. Patients' ages ranged between 32 and 79 years (mean 60). The control group was composed of 12 subjects without carotid artery stenosis who had undergone digital substaction angiography for different purposes. Digital substraction angiography and color-Doppler ultrasonography were performed in all the patients and the control group. Degrees of carotid artery stenosis and flow patterns and velocities, pulsatility and resistance indices of ophtalmic arteries of two groups were compared.

Results: Significant differences in ophtalmic artery flow patterns and velocities, pulsatility and resistance indices between those patients with carotid artery stenosis of more than 70% and the control group were recorded.

Conclusion: Imaging of the ophtalmic artery with color-Doppler ultrasonography is a useful and cost-effective method that reflects the status of cerebral circulation in patients with carotid artery stenosis.