Ultrasound parameters for evaluating local hemodynamics of internal carotid artery anomalies

Background: Despite the high prevalence of internal carotid artery (ICA) anomalies, there is still no consensus on which parameters should be used to evaluate their local hemodynamics and what significance each parameter holds. Objective: To determine the significance of various ultrasound parameters for evaluating the local hemodynamics of ICA anomalies. Materials and methods: In our cross-sectional observational study 427 outpatients underwent carotid ultrasound. To evaluate the significance of various ultrasound parameters for local hemodynamics assessment, we used a cluster analysis for the entire sample (n = 386), taking into account the deformation coefficient, angle of deformation, blood flow turbulence at the site of maximum deformation, and peak blood flow velocity at the site of maximum deformation. Based on the cluster analysis results, we did a discriminant function analysis. Results: During the clustering of patients from the total sample (n = 386), 3 clusters were formed. We did a discriminant function analysis to evaluate the indicators used. We found that all of them had a small Wilks’ Lambda indicating their greater discriminatory ability. The deformation coefficient was the most significant parameter as it had the smallest value (0.26). “Tolerance” analysis showed that the deformation coefficient is the most independent indicator (0.67). Conclusions: Our study showed that the most significant and independent parameter for evaluating the local hemodynamics of ICA anomalies is the deformation coefficient, with the blood flow turbulence being the least significant parameter.