Key result
Vector flow imaging identifies systolic ECA-to-ICA flow reversal in ~52% of carotid bifurcations.
Why the study?
Blood flow reversal from the external carotid artery into the internal carotid artery at the carotid bifurcation had not been detected or systematically examined before despite known complex flow patterns.
Observational (n=17)
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May be a common hemodynamic feature at the carotid bifurcation; extends prior single-case data but leaves open clinical relevance.
BACKGROUND: Complex blood flow patterns are a well-known phenomenon at the carotid bifurcation. However, unlike for the descending aorta, a blood flow reversal has not been detected at the carotid bifurcation, so far. METHODS: In 17 subjects, flow patterns with focus on blood flow reversal were examined at the carotid bifurcation with vector flow imaging. RESULTS: We found a blood flow reversal from the external carotid artery (ECA) into the internal carotid artery (ICA) in 13 of 25 (52%) carotid bifurcations. The blood flow reversal ranged 5.3 ± 1.7 mm (range 2.6-8.3 mm) distally to the beginning of the ECA and lasted 105 ± 59 ms (range 32-225 ms). The mean peak systolic velocity within the blood flow reversal was 12.5 ± 4.6 cm/s (range 5-18 cm/s). CONCLUSION: A blood flow reversal from the ECA into the ICA during the systole is a frequent finding at the carotid bifurcation. Considering ischemic stroke, retrograde embolism from plaques in the proximal ECA into the ICA might play a role.
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Meyer et al. (2018) conducted an observational in Ischemic stroke or healthy volunteers (carotid hemodynamics) (n=17). Vector flow imaging was evaluated on Presence of a blood flow reversal from the external carotid artery (ECA) into the internal carotid artery (ICA). Vector flow imaging detected a blood flow reversal from the external carotid artery into the internal carotid artery during systole in 52% (13 of 25) of examined carotid bifurcations.
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