Korean Circ J.  2014 Nov;44(6):406-414. 10.4070/kcj.2014.44.6.406.

Usefulness of the Doppler Flow of the Ophthalmic Artery in the Evaluation of Carotid and Coronary Atherosclerosis

• Hong SP
• Park YW
• Lee CW
• Park JW
• Bae KR
• Jun SW
• Lee YS
• Lee JB
• Ryu JK
• Choi JY
• Chang SG
• Kim KS

• KMID: 2223857
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2014.44.6.406

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
There is little information about the relationship between the Doppler flow of the ophthalmic artery (OA) and carotid and coronary atherosclerosis. The aim of the investigation was to assess the clinical usefulness of the Doppler flow of the OA to estimate the severity of carotid and coronary atherosclerosis.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
The study was a retrospective analysis of the findings in 140 patients (mean age: 60 years, male: 64%) who underwent coronary angiography (CA) for the evaluation of typical angina between July 2010 and October 2011 in our single center. The severity of coronary artery stenosis was based on the Gensini score (GS). Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as the obstruction of over 75% of the major coronary arteries confirmed with CA. The pulsed Doppler flow of the OA and carotid ultrasound were performed before CA.
RESULTS
The mean systolic velocity/mean diastolic velocity (MSV/MDV), pulsatile index and resistance index in the Doppler flow of the OA were identified as significant and independent correlations with carotid intima-media thickness, and MSV/MDV was identified to have a significant and independent correlation with the GS. MSV/MDV >2.1 was the independent predictor for significant CAD {odds ratio (OR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-9.7, p=0.005} and carotid plaque (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.0, p=0.028), after adjustment for CAD-associated factors.
CONCLUSION
The Doppler flow of the OA might be a useful predictor of the severity of carotid and coronary atherosclerosis.

Keyword

Atherosclerosis; Carotid arteries; Coronary vessels; Ophthalmic artery; Ultrasound

MeSH Terms

Atherosclerosis
Carotid Arteries
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
Coronary Angiography
Coronary Artery Disease*
Coronary Stenosis
Coronary Vessels
Humans
Male
Ophthalmic Artery*
Retrospective Studies
Ultrasonography

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The pulsed Doppler flow of the ophthalmic artery (OA). Color Doppler sonogram in the OA (A) and the corresponding spectral Doppler flow waveforms for the OA (B).

• 

  Fig. 2 Correlation between the carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) and the Doppler flow of the ophthalmic artery. Mean systolic velocity/mean diastolic velocity (MSV/MDV), pulsatility index (PI), and resistive index (RI) were significantly correlated with the c-IMT (A-C). The optimal cut-off value of MSV/MDV for the prediction of carotid plaque (D) and significant coronary artery disease (CAD) defined as coronary artery stenosis greater than 75% (E). AUC: area under the curve.

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