Abstract WMP47: Traditional Doppler Measures Do Not predict Cognition in a Cohort With Advanced Atherosclerosis

• Published in: Stroke (1970) 2019-02, Vol.50 (Suppl_1)
• Main Authors: Mitchell, Carol, Wilbrand, Stephanie M, Cook, Thomas D, Meshram, Nirvedh H, Steffel, Catherine N, Nye, Rebecca, Varghese, Tomy, Hermann, Bruce P, Dempsey, Robert J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/str.50.suppl_1.WMP47

Abstract only Introduction: Traditional Doppler measures have been used to predict cognitive performance in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. Novel measures, such as carotid strain indices (CSI) have shown associations with cognitive performance. We hypothesized that lower mean middle cerebral artery (MCA) velocities, higher bulb-internal carotid artery (ICA) velocities, MCA pulsatility index (PI) and CSI would be associated with poorer cognitive performance in individuals with advanced atherosclerosis. Methods: Neurocognitive testing, carotid ultrasound, transcranial Doppler and CSI were performed on 40 subjects scheduled for carotid endarterectomy. Kendall tau correlations were used to examine relationships between cognitive tests and the maximum peak systolic velocity (PSV) (from bulb, proximal, mid or distal ICA), mean MCA velocity and PI (on surgical side) and CSI (maximum axial, lateral and shear strain indices used to characterize plaque deformations with arterial pulsation). Cognitive measures included age adjusted indices of verbal fluency, verbal and visual learning/memory, psychomotor speed, auditory attention/working memory, visuoconstruction, and mental flexibility. Results: Participants were median age 71.0 (IQR 9.75) years, 26 male (65%) and 14 female (35%). Median stenosis was 70.00 (IQR 10.00) percent. Traditional Doppler parameters, PSV, mean MCA velocity and MCA PI did not predict cognitive performance (p values all >0.05). Maximum strain values were significantly associated with cognitive performance (p