Doppler Ultrasonography of Carotid Arteries: Velocity Criteria Validated by Arteriography

Results: The patients’ average age was 69 years, 47 (64%) men, 27 (37%) with cerebrovascular accident, and 13 (18%), transient ischemic attack. The best criterion for stenoses of 50% 69% was ICA PSV ≥ 141 cm/s (sensitivity: 94%, specificity: 90%, accuracy: 93%) (AUC 0.97). For stenoses between 70% 99%, ICA PSV ≥ 176 cm/s presented sensitivity: 92%; specificity: 87%; accuracy: 90%; ICA PSV ≥ 230 cm/s presented sensitivity: 89%; specificity: 89%; accuracy: 89% (AUC 0.96); and ICA/CCA PSV ratio ≥ 4.0 presented sensitivity: 70%; specificity: 100%; and accuracy: 81% (AUC 0.96). Six ICA occlusions were detected by DU and arteriography. The DU and arteriography correlation was: PSV (0.81 – p < 0.001); EDV (0.78 – p < 0.001) and ICA/CCA PSV ratio (0.81 – p < 0.001).