Does intima-media thickness affect middle cerebral artery blood velocity

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate whether the intima-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid artey (CCA) affects the Doppler parameters (Dp) of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and CCA. Method: From 72 female and 54 male subjects, with no sonographically detectable plaques on CCA, CCA IMT was measured three times both from near and far walls on the longitudinal images, and mean value was calculated. From the Doppler spectrums of CCA and MCA, peak systolic (PSV), end diastolic (EDV), time avaraged maximum velocities (TAMAX), pulsatilty (PI) and resistance indexes (RI) were measured. ANOVA and Kruskal Vallis tests were used to evaluate differences between age groups, Pearson test for the relation between the IMT and Doppler parameters and between age and Dp, lineer regression analyses for evaluation of the effect of age and IMT on Dp and t test for gender differences. Result: IMT, CCA and MCA flow parameters showed age dependent changes. In general IMT increased, PSV and EDV decreased; PI and RI decreased initially, and increased with advancing age. Age, but not IKT, was found as an independent factor effecting Dp. PSV and TAMAX were higher, and RI and PI were lower in female subjects. Conclusion: IMT increases lineerly with advancing age, so it was thought as a physiologic phenomenon. The CCA intima-media thickening does not effect the CCA and MCA Dp.