Color doppler sonography in healthy old persons, vertebral arteries

Abstract

Recently, color Doppler sonography is widely used in evaluating diseases obstructing brain arteries. This study aimed at providing normal rates of hemodynamic parameters in vertebral arteries of older patients using color Doppler sonography. This prospective study conducted on 31 healthy old people ranges from 60 to 96 years. Angle corrected flow velocities and luminal diameters were measured and waveform parameters calculated in all vertebral arteries. It was possible to visualize V2 Segment in 100% and origin of right VA in 72% and origin of left VA in 59% of them. Mean diameter of right VA was 32.4آ± 0.56 mm while it was 3.52آ±0.67 mm for the left VA. The resistance index in right VA was 0.7?0.08 and it was 0.69آ±0.06 in the left VA. There was no significant differences between the two sides. Peak systolic velocity was 35.77آ±12.71 cm sec-1 on the right and 36.29آ±12.71 cm sec-1 on the left. Accordingly, no differences were observed between the two sides. This study and its presented reference values can lead to better differentiation between normal and pathologic findings in vertebral arteries among old people. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to determine the normal and pathologic values of vertebral arteries.