title: Usefulness of the Doppler flow of the ophthalmic artery in the evaluation of carotid and coronary atherosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is little information about the relationship between the Doppler flow of the ophthalmic artery (OA) and carotid and coronary atherosclerosis. The aim of the investigation was to assess the clinical usefulness of the Doppler flow of the OA to estimate the severity of carotid and coronary atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a retrospective analysis of the findings in 140 patients (mean age: 60 years, male: 64%) who underwent coronary angiography (CA) for the evaluation of typical angina between July 2010 and October 2011 in our single center. The severity of coronary artery stenosis was based on the Gensini score (GS). Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as the obstruction of over 75% of the major coronary arteries confirmed with CA. The pulsed Doppler flow of the OA and carotid ultrasound were performed before CA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean systolic velocity/mean diastolic velocity (MSV/MDV), pulsatile index and resistance index in the Doppler flow of the OA were identified as significant and independent correlations with carotid intima-media thickness, and MSV/MDV was identified to have a significant and independent correlation with the GS. MSV/MDV >2.1 was the independent predictor for significant CAD {odds ratio (OR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-9.7, p=0.005} and carotid plaque (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.0, p=0.028), after adjustment for CAD-associated factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Doppler flow of the OA might be a useful predictor of the severity of carotid and coronary atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Pyo
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Yon Woong
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Chan Wook
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Joung Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Ryun
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Woon
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Bae
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Kean
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Guk
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Kee Sik
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Carotid arteries; Coronary vessels; Ophthalmic artery; Ultrasound