The correlation between blood flow velocity in intracranial aneurysm cavity and the size of aneurysm / 中国脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the correlation of the size of intracranial aneurysms with the blood flow velocity in the aneurysmal cavity and the parent artery. Methods: The video data of serial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) images of 15 intracranial aneurysms in 15 patients were copied to a personal computer, then the pixel density values in the selected areas of images were measured with the changes of time by an image processing software, and the time-density curves were generated. The inflow coefficient Ka values of the curve were calculated by curve equation and the statistical analysis was performed so as to find out the blood flow velocity in various aneurismal cavities. Results: The Ka value that marked the blood flow velocity in aneurismal cavity (ACKa) in the central area of an aneurism had a negative correlation with the size of the aneurysm, r = -0.521, P = 0.046 (both sides). The size of the aneurysm had no correlation with the Ka value of the marked blood flow velocity in a parent artery (PKa), r = 0.107, P = 0.704 (both sides). Conclusion: The larger the aneurismal cavity, the slower the blood flow velocity in the central area of the aneurysm. The smaller the aneurysmal cavity, the fewer attenuation of blood flow velocity in the aneurysms, and the faster the blood flow velocity in the central area of the aneurysm. However, the flow velocity in parent artery is not associated with the size of aneurysm. The results of the study can be used to evaluate the natural outcome of aneurysm, the efficacy of embolization, and may partly explain the causes of aneurismal recurrence.