Prediction of Hemispheric Blood Flow From Carotid Velocity Measurements

Doppler carotid velocity determinations were related to hemispheric blood flow measurements by the Xe inhalation method in 28 patients with psychiatric disorders without arterial pathology and in 2 normal subjects. Results from 39 double determinations showed a product-moment correlation of 0.88 (p < 0.001) between right hemispheric blood flow and right internal carotid end-diastolic Telocity. The correlation for the left side was slightly lower (r = 0.83), while the common carotid end-dlastollc Telocity showed a considerably lower correlation of 0.71 (rt) and 0.69 (It) respectirely. The peak-systolic Telocity Tallies (internal carotids) showed a less close relationship to hemispheric flow (r = 0.71 (rt) and r 0.61 (It)). It is concluded that a fairly accurate (15-20% maximum error) prediction of hemispheric blood flow from Doppler internal carotid end-diastolic Telocity rallies is possible in patients without abnormalities in these arterial systems. The high correlations found, in spite of the fact that arterial diameters were not taken Into account, are further proof of tbe accuracy and validity of both methods. Stroke, Vol 11, No 4, 1980