Vascular Doppler ultrasonographic indices in cirrhosis: a case-control study with emphasis on the common carotid arteries.
OBJECTIVE
To compare vascular Doppler waveform indices, particularly in the common carotid arteries, between cirrhotic and healthy subjects.


METHODS
A total of 60 patients with Class-B cirrhosis and 60 healthy matched counterparts were enrolled in this prospective study. Vascular Doppler waveform parameters including resistance and/or pulsatility indices (RI and PI, respectively) were obtained from the common carotid, renal, celiac, superior mesenteric, femoral and brachial arteries.


RESULTS
Compared to patients, healthy subjects had significantly higher mean PI and RI obtained from the common carotid (1.53 ± 0.20 vs. 1.43 ± 0.14, p = 0.03; 0.75 ± 0.02 vs. 0.72 ± 0.02, p < 0.001, respectively) and celiac arteries (2.00 ± 0.36 vs. 1.81 ± 0.34, p = 0.03; 0.80 ± 0.03 vs. 0.78 ± 0.02, p < 0.001, respectively). Both the mean PI and RI derived from the renal arteries, in contrast, were significantly higher in patients compared to that in controls (1.05 ± 0.13 vs. 1.11 ± 0.07, p = 0.03; 0.59 ± 0.03 vs. 0.63 ± 0.03, p < 0.001, respectively). The mean vascular impedance values obtained from the remaining arteries were comparable between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood flow increases in the common carotid and celiac arteries of Class-B cirrhotic patients with elevated renovascular impedance.
Department of Radiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Abolhassan
A
Shakeri
Department of Infectious Disease, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Mojtaba
M
Varshochi
Department of Radiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Naser
N
Atapour
Department of Radiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Masoud
M
Nemati
Department of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Manoochehr
M
Khoshbaten
Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Medical Research and Development Complex, Daneshgah St., 51656-65811, Tabriz, Iran. Medicorelax@yahoo.com.
Daniel Fadaei
DF
Fouladi
D000328:Adult; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D055815:Young Adult
Cirrhosis; Common carotid artery; Doppler ultrasound; Hemodynamic change