Changes in Internal Carotid Blood Flow after CEA Evaluated by Transit Time Flowmeter

Methods and Materials In 200 out of 660 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for a high-degree ICA stenosis, pre-operatively a bilateral selective carotid and intracerebral angiography was performed. The degree of the ipsilateral and contralateral stenosis was digitally assessed by using computer software according to the CC-Index. Intraoperatively, the pressure ratio over the stenosis (ICA/CCA) was measured by direct arterial puncture. Blood flow in the ICA was measured before and after CEA with an ultrasound flowmeter using the transit time principle. These findings were correlated to the degree of stenosis revealed by angiographic analysis and the pressure ratio.