Clinical analysis of color Doppler ultrasound in detection of carotid vascular atherosclerosis

Objective: To investigate the value of color Doppler ultrasound in detecting early atherosclerosis (carotid MT) and the hemodynamic changes of carotid artery in hypertension patients and diabetes. Methods: Carotid artery IMT, plaques and the hemodynamic changes were examined by high- frequency color Doppler imaging in 91 hypertension patients,and 37 hypertension patients with diabetes. The results were compared with those of the 31 controls. Results: Hypertension patients and diabetes had a marked increase in the thickness of Carotid artery IMT and in the formation of plaque in early atherosclerosis . Aortosclerosis and ophthalmic artery sclerosis could occur at the same time. Conclusion: Hypertension and diabetes are the main risk factors resulting in atherosclerosis of the carotid artery. Color Doppler imaging can provide valuable information about early changes of carotid artery for clinical diagnosis and treatment planning.