title: Carotid duplex ultrasound and transcranial Doppler findings in commercial divers and pilots.
abstract: The risky working environments of divers and pilots, and the possible role of extreme ambient pressure in carotid stenosis, make ischemic stroke an important occupational concern among these professionals. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association of being exposed to hyperbaric or hypobaric conditions with carotid artery stenosis by comparing common carotid intima-media thickness (CCIMT) and blood flow velocities of cerebral arteries in divers and pilots using carotid duplex ultrasound (CDUS) and transcranial Doppler (TCD). CDUS and transtemporal TCD were performed in 29 divers, 36 pilots and 30 control participants. Medical history, blood pressure, lipid profile and blood sugar were recorded to control the previously well-known risk factors of atherosclerosis. Findings of the CDUS and TCD [including: CCIMT and blood flow velocities of internal carotid artery (ICA), common carotid artery (CCA), and middle cerebral artery (MCA)] of divers and pilots were compared with those of the control group using regression analysis models. Both right and left side CCIMT were significantly higher in divers (P < 0.05) and pilots (P < 0.05) in comparison with the control group. Carotid index [peak systolic velocity (PSV) of ICA/PSV of CCA) of divers and pilots were also higher than the control group. TCD findings were not significantly different between divers, pilots, and the control group. Increased CCIMT and carotid index in diver and pilot groups appear to be suggestive of accelerated atherosclerosis of carotid artery in these occupational groups.
authors.affiliation: Imam Reza Hospital, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Banafshe
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dormanesh
authors.affiliation: Iran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran. kiavosoughi@gmail.com.|Neurology Department, Firoozgar University Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. kiavosoughi@gmail.com.|Medical Students Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. kiavosoughi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vosoughi
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Firoozgar University Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Fahimeh H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Akhoundi
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Firoozgar University Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehrpour
authors.affiliation: Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS) Department, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Seyed-Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Fereshtehnejad
authors.affiliation: Medical Students Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Setareh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esmaeili
authors.affiliation: Medical Students Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Azin Shafiee
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Sabet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D016893:Carotid Stenosis; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000070356:Pilots; D012372:ROC Curve; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Carotid duplex ultrasound; Divers; Pilots; Transcranial Doppler