2017 Volume 30 Issue 1 Pages 8-12
Objective: The jet flow direction at the stenotic lesion is not always parallel to the blood vessel direction. Therefore, we examined the optimal angle correction.
Methods: Among 50 subjects with stenosis at the internal carotid artery (ICA) bifurcation who underwent carotid ultrasonography and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The measurement of peak systolic velocity (PSV) at the stenotic lesion site was performed according to the guideline of Japan Academy of Neurosonology. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: group A, angle was aligned parallel to the blood flow at the stenotic lesion (n = 23) and group B, angle was aligned parallel to the blood vessel (n = 30). ICA stenosis was diagnosed on DSA images according to NASCET criteria.
Results: In groups A and B, there was a significant correlation between PSV and stenosis ratio. In diagnosing ICA stenosis (≥ 70%), the area under ROC curve, the sensitivity and specificity of PSV were 0.973, 100% and 85.7% with a cutoff level of 203.5 cm/s and 0.765, 70.0% and 80.0% with a cutoff level 256.9 cm/s, respectively.
Conclusion: Our study suggests the angle-adjustment towards the blood flow at the stenotic lesion site is superior to the angle-adjustment parallel to the blood vessel for PSV measurement.
