PURPOSE: The ratios of of blood flow velocities in the internal carotid artery (ICA) to those in the common carotid artery (CCA) (V(ICA)/V(CCA)) are used to identify patients with critical ICA narrowing, but their normal reference values have not been established. We provide reference data for the V(ICA)/V(CCA) ratios for the peak systolic velocity (PSV), mean velocity (MV), and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) measured in a large group of healthy subjects. METHODS: We examined 343 healthy subjects with color duplex sonography. They were divided into 3 age groups: group I, <40 years; group II, 40-60 years; group III, >60 years. RESULTS: The values of V(ICA)/V(CCA) ratio for the PSV were as follows [mean (upper and lower reference values)]. In women, group I: 0.81 (0.48-1.14), group II: 0.88 (0.36-1.40), group III: 0.9 (0.36-1.40). In men, group I: 0.65 (0.32-0.98), group II: 0.72 (0.39-1.05), group III: 0.91 (0.27-1.56). The V(ICA)/V(CCA) ratio for PSV increased with age only in men and its values were significantly higher in women than in men in the group I and group II age groups. CONCLUSION: This study provides normal reference values for the V(ICA)/V(CCA) ratios for PSV and shows that the ratio varies with age and sex. The upper reference limit for the ratio can serve as an aid in the more specific identification of patients with minor or mild ICA narrowing.
PURPOSE: The ratios of of blood flow velocities in the internal carotid artery (ICA) to those in the common carotid artery (CCA) (V(ICA)/V(CCA)) are used to identify patients with critical ICA narrowing, but their normal reference values have not been established. We provide reference data for the V(ICA)/V(CCA) ratios for the peak systolic velocity (PSV), mean velocity (MV), and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) measured in a large group of healthy subjects. METHODS: We examined 343 healthy subjects with color duplex sonography. They were divided into 3 age groups: group I, <40 years; group II, 40-60 years; group III, >60 years. RESULTS: The values of V(ICA)/V(CCA) ratio for the PSV were as follows [mean (upper and lower reference values)]. In women, group I: 0.81 (0.48-1.14), group II: 0.88 (0.36-1.40), group III: 0.9 (0.36-1.40). In men, group I: 0.65 (0.32-0.98), group II: 0.72 (0.39-1.05), group III: 0.91 (0.27-1.56). The V(ICA)/V(CCA) ratio for PSV increased with age only in men and its values were significantly higher in women than in men in the group I and group II age groups. CONCLUSION: This study provides normal reference values for the V(ICA)/V(CCA) ratios for PSV and shows that the ratio varies with age and sex. The upper reference limit for the ratio can serve as an aid in the more specific identification of patients with minor or mild ICA narrowing.
Authors: Luigi Di Pino; Antonio G Franchina; Serena Costa; Stella Gangi; Francesco Strano; Mario Ragusa; Luca Costanzo; Corrado Tamburino; Davide Capodanno Journal: Int J Cardiovasc Imaging Date: 2020-09-10 Impact factor: 2.357