Color Doppler evaluation of carotid vessels in patients with stroke

Aim: To analyze the structure of carotid plaque morphology and quantify the percentage of carotid cerebrovascular disease is an important formidable health problem globally. The stroke syndrome consists of the rapid development of a focal neurological deficit that is usually localized to an area of the brain stenosis using high resolution color Doppler ultrasound machine in stroke patients. Background: Stroke or supplied by a specific artery.Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on all clinically suspected cerebrovascular insufficiency cases referred for color Doppler of carotid arteries to the Radiology Department of Katuri Medical College and Hospital, Guntur from 2011 to 2013. Various Doppler parameters such as characteristics of plaque, degree of stenosis, peak systolic velocity ratio, end diastolic velocity (EDV) of internal carotid artery, EDV ratios were studied. Results: Totally 90 cases of cerebrovascular accident studied, 58 (64%) were males and 32 (36%) were females. The majority of male patients belonged to age group of 51-60 years (37.8%) and females 61-70 years (37.5%). The risk factors included hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease. The patient’s clinical symptoms included hemiparesis, hemiplegia, transient ischemic attack and altered sensorium. Conclusion: Color Doppler of carotid artery plays an important role in the identification of plaques and quantification of degree of stenosis and identification of “at risk” patients who may develop further stroke.