Common Carotid Flow Velocity Research Articles

Common carotid flow velocity is associated with cognitive function after carotid endarterectomy

The relationship between ultrasonographic flow parameters and cognitive function has not been well studied. This study aimed to clarify associations between carotid flow velocity (FV) and cognitive function in patients with a history of carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Ninety-four patients who previously underwent CEA participated in this study. The Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (Cognistat) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) were adopted to assess cognitive functions at a mean of 6.5 ± 3.2 years after CEA. End-diastolic flow velocity (EDV) of the left and right common carotid artery (CCA) was significantly associated with total Cognistat score (p < 0.001) and total FAB score (p < 0.05). Pulsatility index (PI) of the left CCA was significantly associated with total Cognistat score and total FAB score (p < 0.01). A cut-off right CCA EDV of 14.5 cm/s offered the most reliable predictor of the bottom 25th percentile of total Cognistat score (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 61.0%, area under the curve (AUC) 0.731, p = 0.0060), while a cut-off left CCA PI of 1.83 was the most reliable predictor of the bottom 25th percentile of total FAB score (sensitivity 73.3%, specificity 60.0%, AUC 0.679, p = 0.0179). Left and right CCA EDV correlated with sub-components of comprehension, construction, judgment, programming (p < 0.01), and conceptualization (p < 0.05). Right CCA EDV correlated with similarity (p < 0.01), repetition, naming, and memory (p < 0.05). Left CCA PI correlated with attention, conceptualization (p < 0.01), repetition, construction, similarity, and mental flexibility (p < 0.05), while right CCA PI correlated with construction (p < 0.05). CCA FV may offer useful markers of cognitive functions in patients with a history of CEA.

What about Common Carotid Ultrasonography in Heart Failure?

Heart failure (HF) is a major health problem causing frequent hospital admissions and reduced quality of life. Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common finding in patients with HF that leads to higher mortality and less successful treatment. Evidences suggest that cognitive impairment can be diagnosed by common carotid flow velocity. As mild CI is not clinically measurable in most cases we can use ultrasound to develop a relevant screening model for cognitive dysfunction in HF.

Common Carotid Flow Velocity is Associated with Cognition in Older Adults

To assess the relationship between carotid flow velocity and cognitive impairment in patients with mild-moderate (<50%) carotid artery disease. We studied 407 participants with available carotid ultrasound and cognitive measures. We related peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) of internal carotid artery (ICA) and common carotid artery (CCA) and intimal medial thickness (IMT) to Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clock Draw Test (CDT), Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL)and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). EDV of CCA was significantly different in higher and lower MoCA (MMSE) groups. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that lower EDV was significantly associated with lower MoCA (+0.459 per standard deviation (SD), p<0. 01 for the left; +0.539 per SD, p<0. 01 for the right) and CDT (odds ratio (OR) 0.093, p< 0.05 for the left; OR) 0.120, p<0. 01 for the right) scores. PSV of left CCA (-0.205 per SD, p<0.05) and IMT (+42.536 per SD, p< 0.001) were associated with ADL. PSV of right CCA was associated with MMSE (+0.081 per SD, p<0.001). No significant relationship between ICA flow velocity and cognitive performance was observed. Our preliminary data show that common carotid artery flow velocity was associated with cognitive performance.

Changes in carotid flow velocity during catheterization of the aortic arch and common carotid artery.

Quantitative percutaneous flow velocity measurements are possible in carotid arteries by means of a directional Doppler flow velocity device and registration on a polygraph. Carotid flow velocity changes were recorded during catheterization of the ascending aorta and common carotid artery and after infusion of 20 cc contrast medium in the ascending aorta. The results indicate an increase in the flow velocity in the right common carotid artery after infusion of the contrast medium in the ascending aorta, which is thought to be attributed to a diffuse vasodilatation, at least in the cerebral circulation. The catheterization of the ascending aorta and common carotid artery seems to interfere with the common carotid flow velocity.