FREQUENCY OF CAROTID STENOSIS USING CAROTID COLOUR DUPLEX ULTRASOUND IN PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC STROKE

Objective: To determine the frequency of carotid stenosis using colour duplex ultrasound in patients with ischemic
stroke.
Material and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 120 patients of ischemic stroke at the Department
of Radiology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar for one year period from January to December 2011. During the
study period Carotid Colour Duplex Ultrasound was performed on each patient with ischemic stroke. Patients
fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected for the study after obtaining an informed consent. Patients having age
less than 20 years and having haemorrhagic stroke on C.T Scan were excluded from the study.
Results: Out of 120 diagnosed cases of ischemic stroke majority (64.16%) was males and also majority (25%) was
aged between 61-70 years with mean age of 51.46 years. Carotid duplex ultrasound found carotid stenosis in
35.83% patients. Out of 43 patients, right carotid artery involved in 58.13%, left carotid artery in 32.55% and bilateral
carotid arteries in 9.30% patients. In 48.83% cases degree of stenosis was high grade, moderate in 32.55% patients
and mild in 18.60% patients. In 65.11% patients type of plaque was calcified and soft in 34.88% cases. The velocity
of blood flow between 20-40 cms/second recorded in majority (48.83%) cases.
Conclusions: In this study carotid stenosis was diagnosed in 35.83% patients. It is a non-invasive, inexpensive and
reliable diagnostic method in ischemic stroke patients and in remote areas where CT scan and MRI facilities are not
available.
Key Words: Ischemic stroke-carotid artery-disease-diagnosis; carotid colour duplex ultrasound; velocity of blood
flow.