J Korean Soc Vasc Surg.  2010 Aug;26(2):98-107.

Analysis of Anatomy and Hemodynamics of Carotid and Vertebral Artery in a Healthy Korean Population

• Roh YN
• Cho YG
• Kim YW
• Kim DI

Abstract

PURPOSE
The duplex scan is recommended for initial assessment of carotid artery disease as a non-invasive diagnostic method. However, the guidelines for diagnosis of carotid stenosis are based on Western guidelines. Therefore, we studied the anatomy and hemodynamics of the carotid and vertebral arteries in a healthy Korean population.
METHODS
The study was performed with 421 healthy adults, aged 20 to 69 years (219 men, 202 women; mean age of all patients, 44.32+/-14.33 years). The flow velocities and luminal diameters of the common, external and internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries were examined using a duplex scan.
RESULTS
The luminal diameters of the carotid and vertebral arteries increased significantly with increased age, height and weight and were significantly larger in men than in women. The flow velocities of the carotid and vertebral arteries decreased significantly with increased age. The flow velocities of carotid arteries were significantly faster in men than in women. The flow velocities of the carotid and vertebral arteries varied according to height and weight.
CONCLUSION
Our results from a healthy Korean population might be used as reference values for diagnosis of carotid and vertebral arterial disease in Koreans.

Keyword

Carotid artery; Vertebral artery; Stenosis; Anatomy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Carotid Arteries
Carotid Artery Diseases
Carotid Artery, Internal
Carotid Stenosis
Constriction, Pathologic
Female
Hemodynamics
Humans
Male
Phenobarbital
Reference Values
Vertebral Artery
Phenobarbital