A Comparison Study of Vector Velocity, Spectral Doppler and Magnetic Resonance of Blood Flow in the Common Carotid Artery

Andreas Hjelm Brandt, Kristoffer Lindskov Hansen, Caroline Ewertsen, Simon Holbek, Jacob Bjerring Olesen, Ramin Moshavegh, Carsten Thomsen, Jørgen Arendt Jensen, Michael Bachmann Nielsen

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25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Magnetic resonance phase contrast angiography (MRA) is the gold standard for blood flow evaluation. Spectral Doppler ultrasound (SDU) is the first clinical choice, although the method is angle dependent. Vector flow imaging (VFI) is an angle-independent ultrasound method. The aim of the study was to compare VFI- and SDU-estimated peak systolic velocities (PSV) of the common carotid artery (CCA) with PSV obtained by MRA. Furthermore, intra- and inter-observer agreement was determined. MRA estimates were significantly different from SDU estimates (left CCA: p < 0.001, right CCA: p < 0.001), but not from VFI estimates (left CCA: p = 0.28, right CCA: p = 0.18). VFI measured lower PSV in both CCAs compared with SDU (p < 0.001) with improved precision (VFI: left: 24%, right: 18%; SDU: left 38%, right: 23%). Intra- and inter-observer agreement was almost perfect for VFI and SDU (inter-observer correlation coefficient: VFI 0.88, SDU 0.91; intra-observer correlation coefficient: VFI 0.96, SDU 0.97). VFI is more accurate than SDU in evaluating PSV compared with MRA.

Original languageEnglish
JournalUltrasound in Medicine & Biology
Volume44
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)1751-1761
ISSN0301-5629
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Carotid Artery, Common/diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography/methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler/methods

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