The implications of different criteria for grading carotid artery stenosis by duplex ultrasound. Issue 9 (14th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gray, Cleona; Murray, Sorcha A.; Connolly, Mary; O'Donohoe, Martin K.; McDonnell, Ciaran O.; Badger, Stephen A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical ultrasound. Volume 43:Issue 9(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 563
• Page End: 566
• Publication Date: 2015-07-14
• Subjects: Ultrasonics in medicine -- Periodicals; 616.07543
• DOI: 10.1002/jcu.22285
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-2751

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="jcu22285-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>Duplex ultrasound is the first‐line mode of investigation for carotid stenosis, whose severity could be graded according to NASCET or St. Mary's ratio criteria. The aim of this study was to compare these two methods and review the literature.</p> </sec> <sec id="jcu22285-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>All patients who had carotid duplex ultrasound in a 1‐month period were included. The reports and images were retrospectively reviewed, and the grade of carotid artery stenosis was then recalculated using the St. Mary's Ratio.</p> </sec> <sec id="jcu22285-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A total of 245 (160 men) patients with a mean age 70.4 years (±11.5) were assessed, and 469 extracranial carotid systems were analyzed. Pearson's Coefficient revealed strong correlation (<italic>r</italic> = 0.79, <italic>p</italic> = 0.05) between the two methods. In 114 (24.3%) internal carotid arteries, results were different. Of these, 26 (22.8%) would have gone for surgery had they been assessed using the St. Mary's Ratio and not the NASCET grading criteria. Conversely, two internal carotid arteries (1.75%) went for surgery using the NASCET grading criteria that would not have had to should the St. Mary's Ratio been used.</p> </sec> <sec id="jcu22285-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Although there is a strong level of correlation between the two criteria, choosing one or the other would have a significant impact on the patient' selection for surgery. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. <italic>J Clin Ultrasound</italic><bold>43</bold>:563–566, 2015</p> </sec> </abstract>