Effect of STA-MCA bypass on Ophthalmic Artery Flow in Occlusive Internal Carotid Artery Diseases

Abstract

Introduction: The authors analyzed the effects of STA-MCA bypass on ophthalmic artery flow in patients with occlusive internal carotid artery disease. Methods: We examined ophthalmic artery flow using color Doppler flow imaging in 88 patients with occlusive internal carotid artery disease treated with STA-MCA bypass. Results: (1)Before bypass, 18 patients showed antegrade flow, and 70 showed reversed flow. At 1 month and 3 months after bypass, antegrade ophthalmic artery flow was seen in 42 patients and 56 patients, respectively (p<0.05). (2)Ophthalmic artery mean peak systolic flow velocity (Vs) was -0.27m/s before bypass. The mean Vs increased to -0.06m/s at 1 month after bypass, and was 0.05m/s at 3 months after bypass (p<0.05). At 6 months after bypass, there was no significant change of the mean Vs. In the patients who had preoperative antegrade ophthalmic artery flow, there was no significant change in Vs during the course. Conclusion: STA-MCA had a significant effect in improving ophthalmic artery flow within 3 months, especially in patients showing revered ophthalmic artery flow preoperatively.