Background: Duplex sonography is a widely used screening method for carotid artery stenosis. Maximum peak systolic velocity (PSVmax) is the best parameter for grading of stenosis now. The aim of the study was to compare correlations between percentage of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis using computed tomography angiography (CTA) and sonographic parameters: PSVmax, PSV ratio [in stenosis(linear probe)/˃3 cm distal to stenosis(transcranial probe)] and lumen reduction in B-Mode.
Methods: Duplex sonography of carotid arteries using linear probe 5–12 MHz and transcranial probe 2–4 MHz were performed in consecutive patients with carotid artery stenosis ˃50% in 2 laboratories. PSVmax, PSV ratio and lumen reduction in B-Mode (NASCET) were evaluated. All patients underwent also CTA within 2 weeks with measurement of stenosis by dedicated software using both diameter (NASCET) and area of lumen reduction. Spearman correlation coefficient was used for evaluation the correlation between sonographic and CTA stenosis grading.
Results: Totally 35 patients (18 males, 17 females, mean age 71.9±8.4 years) were enrolled to the pilot part of the study during 6 months. Higher correlations between stenosis grading using CTA diameter/area reduction were achieved for PSV ratio (r=0.65/r=0.65, p˂0.05) than for PSVmax (r=0.53/r=0.55, p˂0.05) or lumen reduction in B-Mode (r=0.56/r=0.56, p˂0.05), resp. PSV ratio cut-off of 4.5 had 69% sensitivity, 84% specificity, 79% positive and 76% negative predictive value for detection of 70% stenosis.
Conclusion: PSV ratio seems to be better parameter for ICA stenosis grading than maximum PSV or lumen reduction in B-Mode.
Supported by grants MHCR 17-31016A, 16-30965A.

Peak systolic velocity ratio as a new parameter for carotid artery stenosis grading