[Sensitivity of hemodynamic parameters determined with a conventional duplex scanner in the evaluation of severe...

Progression of extracranial carotid disease is considered to be significant independent predictor in the evaluation of individual cerebrovascular prognosis. Doppler ultrasonography is a useful screening method in the diagnosis and evaluation of extracranial carotid disease. The aim of this study was to establish the most sensitive hemodynamic parameter of Doppler-ultrasonographic spectral analysis in clinical evaluation of extracranial carotid disease. Investigation included 90 patients (of both sexes) in hospital and outpatient clinic care. Spectral analysis (M-scanning technique) was used for the evaluation of hemodynamic status of carotid sinus, including the following parameters: Pourcelot (A-D/A), Gosling (A/B), and Mol (A/D) resistance parameters. After statistical processing the results of the research affirmed hemodynamic parameters' values and correlation between Pourcelot hemodynamic parameter and the degree of carotid stenosis rho = 0.59 for all patients, and rho = 0.58 for patients with pathological values. Correlation between Mol parameter and the degree of carotid stenosis was rho = 0.50 for all patients, and rho = 0.57 for patients with pathological values. Gosling parameter was not significantly different in mean value and was present in all three groups. Functional relationship between the degree of carotid stenosis and each of hemodynamic parameters was established. It was concluded that Pourcelot and Mol parameters were significant indicators of asimptomatic carotid disease, but Pourcelot parameter was considered as a more sensitive indicator in the evaluation of extracranial carotid disease.