Evaluation of Carotid Arteries in Stroke Patients using Colour Doppler Sonography: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Cerebral ischaemic stroke is a neurological condition that can be fatal and debilitating and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The major benefit of sonography is its capacity to describe plaque and identify plaques with increased risk of embolisation, in addition, to evaluate the degree of stenosis. Aim: To diagnose and characterise the plaque morphology in extracranial portion of carotid arteries using colour Doppler sonography in patients with stroke. Materials and Methods: A time-bound, hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, MGM Medical College and MY Hospital, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India from August 2021 to July 2022. There were 80 stroke patients in the study. Risk factors like smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and family history were recorded. B- mode ultrasonography was used to assess carotid arteries and various Doppler parameters like Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV). Plaque characteristics and morphology like smooth margin, irregular margin, ulceration and haemorrhage were evaluated. Statistical parameters such as Student’s t-test were used for association between ICA PSV and ICA/CCA PSV with degree of stenosis. Results: Hypertension was the most common risk factor 57 (71.1%). A total of 54 (67%) stroke patients were found to have plaque in their carotid vasculature. A total of 21 (38.8%) of patients had type-3 plaque followed by type-1 plaque 14 (25.9%). Out of 67% of patients who had plaque, majority of patients 38 (47.5%) had <50% stenosis and 16 (29.6%) of patients had significant stenosis (>50%). Conclusion: It was shown that carotid Doppler ultrasonography can be used as a screening tool for patients, who have risk factors for stroke to find asymptomatic carotid disease.