Evaluation of common carotid and vertebral arteries flow volumes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and common carotid artery-vertebral artery flow volumes in ankylosing spondylitis patients with age and sex-matched healthy controls. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with ankylosing spondylitis (study group) and 50 healthy volunteers (control group) were included in the study. At first, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements were performed in supine-neutral position by B-mode ultrasonography (US). Afterwards, common carotid and vertebral artery flow volumes were calculated by Doppler US in the neutral, right rotational, and left rotational positions. Results: Carotid IMT was significantly higher in the study group according to the control group (p=0.001). The common carotid artery (CCA) and vertebral artery (VA) flow volumes in the neutral position were similar between the two groups. There was no significant difference in CCA flow volumes between the groups in right and left rotational positions (p>0.05). Right vertebral artery and total vertebral artery flow volumes in the right rotational position were significantly lower in the study group (p=0.022 and p=0.005 respectively). In the left rotational position, left vertebral artery and total vertebral artery flow volumes were significantly lower in the study group when compared with the control group (p=0.001). Discussion: In our study, carotid IMT was significantly higher in patients with AS compared to healthy controls. Besides, significant volume decreases in vertebral artery flow volumes were detected in the study group in rotational positions.