S. Andonova-Atanasova 1, D. Petkova 2, M. Novakova 3, R. Georgiev 3
1 Department of Neurology, Second Clinic of Neurology,
2 Clinic of Pneumology and Phtisiology,
3 Department of Radiology, University Hospital St Marina – Varna, Bulgaria

Objective: To evaluate the change of intima-media thickness of the carotid artery in patients suffering by obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) and asymptomatic ischemic disturbances of cerebral circulation.

Materials and Methods: The participants of the study are divided into 2 groups: 12 patients suffering from OSAS and asymptomatic ischemic disturbances of cerebral circulation (mean age 50.7±8.4 years), and a control group of 10 participants (mean age 50.4±8.4 years), having risk factors (RF) for cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) and asymptomatic ischemic disturbances of cerebral circulation but not OSAS. The morphology of the artery wall – the thickness of the intima media complex (IMT) of the common carotid arteries (CCA), the presence of atherosclerotic plaques, their magnitude, echogenicity and stability- are determined by a color-coded duplex sonography of the main arteries of the head.

S. Andonova-Atanasova 1, D. Mintchev 1, M. Novakova 2, R. Georgiev 2
1 Department of Neurology, Second Clinic of Neurology,
2 Department of Radiology, University Hospital St Marina – Varna, Bulgaria

Objective: The aim of this study is to find the initial changes of brain hemodynamic using color duplex sonography and evoked potentials - brainstem auditory and visual by patients with asymptomatic ischemic disturbances of cerebral circulation.

Material and Methods: By 40 elderly individuals (mean age – 65,7 years) with asymptomatic ischemic disturbances of cerebral circulation – diagnosed with MRI of the brain, was measured a blood flow velocity (BFV) and cerebral vasomotor reactivity (CVR) in the vertebral arteries using color coded duplex sonography. MRI was done at the beginning of the study and at 24 months to measure the severity of white matter changes. Evoked potentials – brainstem auditory and visual were also performed and evaluated in dynamics. It was analysed the latency, configuration and amplitude of the waves.