Evaluation of Color Doppler Flow Imaging in Carotid Endarterectomy

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) in endarterectomy for carotid stenosis. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with extracranial carotid stenosis were examined with CDFI before carotid endarterectomy CEA), in which 12 patients were diagnosed by cerebral angiography (CAG). Results: The thickening of the intima-media layer of common and/or internal carotid artery wall in 40 sides, the hyperechoic plaque in 34 sides, as well as the carotid stenosis in 31 sides were detected. The range of carotid stenosis was 40-95%, and the median was 76%. Two side internal carotid occlusions were diagnosed. The results between CDFI and CAG were not significantly different (P0. 05) .Conclusions: The lesions on extracranial carotid artery wall revealed sensitively, and the degree of carotid stenosis is diagnosed accurately with CDFI. CDFI is a reliable screening and follow-up method for CEA.