[Evaluation of early hemodynamic changes in the carotid arteries after permanent pacemaker implantation with color Doppler US].
OBJECTIVE
Both carotid arteries of the patients were examined with color Doppler ultrasonography before and after the placement of a permanent pacemaker, and the results were discussed.


METHODS
Twelve patients with pacemaker indication aged between 19-81 years were included in the study. The day before and after pacemaker implantation, maximum systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, mean velocity, resistivity index and pulsatility index of the bilateral carotid arteries were measured. Area measuring and flow volume were calculated by using the transverse imaging of the same points of carotid arteries. Statistical analysis of the data was made with paired samples t-test.


RESULTS
Heart rates of the patients were statistically higher before pacemaker implantation (p<0.001). Maximum systolic velocity of bilateral common carotid arteries, left internal carotid artery and right internal carotid artery decreased significantly after pacemaker implantation (respectively p<0.01, p<0.01, and p<0.05). We also found prominent decrease in maximum systolic velocity of both external carotid arteries after pacemaker implantation (p<0.05). End diastolic velocity, mean velocity, area and the flow volume of the carotid arteries did not change markedly. Resistivity and pulsatility index values of bilateral common and internal carotid arteries decreased significantly after pacemaker implantation (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Decrease in maximum systolic velocity of the carotid arteries after pacemaker implantation may be due to the possible reduction in cardiac output or the treatment of bradycardia. However, flow volumes of the carotid arteries did not change after pacemaker and we concluded that the early neurological dysfunction would not be associated with the functional failure of the carotid arteries.
Ozer
Tülay
T
Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hastanesi Radyoloji Kliniği, Ankara, Turkey.
Arda
Kemal
K
Soylu
Mustafa
M
Demir
Duran
D
Olçer
Tülay
T
Aşmaz
Ali
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D013599:Systole; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color