Influence of Doppler Angle in Carotid Artery Duplex Ultrasound Evaluation

Abstract

We investigated influence of Doppler angle on peak systolic velocity (PSV). In our hospital, 109 carotid arteries were examined using carotid duplex. The PSVs obtained with a 45˚ and a 60˚ insonation angles at the distal common carotid artery and proximal internal carotid artery were statistically analyzed. The PSV measurements obtained with the two fixed insonation angles were statistically significantly different (p < 0.0001). Doppler insonation angle has a significant influence on PSV. Carotid duplex examination should be performed with a fixed angle in order to obtain reproducible results.