DOPPLER ULTRASOUND SCREENING FOR SIGNIFICANT CAROTID ARTERY STENOSIS IN CARDIAC SURGERY PATIENTS, PRESENTING TO HAYATABAD MEDICAL COMPLEX, PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

*Dr. Muhammad Aasim, Dr. Haroon Mustafa, Dr. Raheela Aziz, Dr Shahzada Hussain and Dr Muhammad Salman Khan

ABSTRACT

Background: This study aimed to determine the frequency of significant carotid artery stenosis by Doppler Ultrasound screening in patients undergoing open heart surgery. Method: From January 2019 to April 2019, 125 consecutive patients who were booked for open heart surgery, in Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar Pakistan, were included in this study. Adult patients aging more than 18years were studied irrespective of the planned cardiac surgical procedure, while pediatric and adolescent patients below the age of 18years were excluded. Using Mindray® DC 70 Color Doppler Ultrasound Scanner, significant carotid artery stenosis was determined by a Radiologist as stenosis of more than 50 % luminal diameter of the carotid artery under study. Results: We studied 250 carotid arteries of 125 patients (87 males and 38 females with age range 19 to 80 years (mean 57.47 years). Significant stenosis was found in 13 patients (10.40 %) with slight male preponderance (7:6). Conclusion: Doppler ultrasound study is a good modality, free of radiation hazards for screening carotid arteries in patients undergoing open Heart surgery. Patients with significant carotid artery stenosis on Doppler ultrasound study may be objectively confirmed by subsequent CT carotid angiography. However, further studies are required to assess the efficiency of Doppler ultrasound study in carotid artery stenosis in comparison to CT carotid angiography. Routine Doppler ultrasound screening in adult cardiac surgical patients can identify significant carotid artery stenosis and can help in subsequently reducing the risk of operative stroke in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

Keywords: Carotid artery stenosis, Doppler Ultrasound studies, Cardiac Surgery patients, Peshawar.