J. Lee 1, H.K. Song 2, S.H. Hwang 3
1 Department of Neurology, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital – Koyang-shi,
2 Department of Neurology, Hallym University KDSH Hospital – Seoul,
3 Department of Neurology, Hallym University Hospital – Seoul, South Korea
Objective: Carotid arterial stenosis becomes more common and important risk factor for stroke patients in Asian area. We reviewed stroke database to investigate changes of carotid duplex sonographic findings which reflects hemodynamic changes before and after carotid stenting.
Material and Methods: Stroke patients of which carotid stenting have been done when admitted at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital from January 2007 to December 2012 with available carotid ultrasound study that was done before and after carotid stenting formed the analysis cohorts. Retrospective review was performed.
Results: A total of 26 patients were included during that period. By duplex ultrasound, common, internal and external carotid arteries were examined and the degree of stenosis was graded by five groups; < 50%, >50% and < 75%, >75% and < 95% stenosis, subtotal occlusion and occlusion. Average follow-up period between before and after stenting was 18 months. 16 patients among 26 patients showed no change of adjacent carotid stenosis degrees between before and after stenting. 5 patients among 26 patients showed changes in the stenosis degree of ipsilateral adjacent carotid and another 5 patients showed changes in the stenosis degree of contralateral adjacent carotid arteries.
Discussion: Between before and after carotid stenting, the flow of adjacent carotid arteries were changed in patients of about one third and another two thirds showed no change. The hemodynamic changes of carotid flow can be dynamic after carotid stenting and the clinical significance of them needs to be further investigated.
Key words: carotid sonography, stent, stroke.