title: The relationship of flow velocities to vessel diameters differs between extracranial carotid and vertebral arteries of stroke patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic changes in flow rate through arteries produce adjustment of arterial diameters. We compared the relationship between flow velocity and diameter in the carotid and in the vertebral arteries of stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using triplex ultrasonography, the internal diameter and flow velocities of the common carotid, internal carotid, and vertebral arteries of 176 consecutive stroke patients were measured. Correlations were examined with Pearson's statistics at an alpha level of 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of the patients was 59.3 ± 12 years, and 66% had cerebral infarcts. Diameter and blood flow velocities showed significant negative correlations (-0.115 ≥ r ≥ -0.382) in the carotid arteries on both sides, but positive correlations (0.211 ≤ r ≤ 0.320) in the vertebral arteries, even after controlling for age, gender, and blood pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrated different diameter/flow relationships in the carotid and the vertebral arteries of stroke patients, which may suggest pathologic changes in the adaptive processes governing vessel diameter and growth, especially in the carotid arteries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mayowa O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Owolabi
authors.forename: Atinuke M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Agunloye
authors.forename: Adesola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ogunniyi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: artery; carotid; stroke; ultrasound; vertebral