[The volumetric blood flow in the carotid arteries of healthy subjects].

Using ultrasonic duplex scanning, volumetric blood flow (VBF) in the common carotid artery (CCA) was studied in 119 healthy subjects (73 males and 46 females), aged 20-75. With age, mean linear flow rate seems to undergo slowing down, while CCA diameter becomes wider. However, VBF in CCA in the middle-aged and elderly subjects decreased insignificantly. Males have larger CCA diameters and, consequently, greater VBF. A correlation exists between head circumference measured horizontally 2 cm above the superciliary arches and CCA diameter. This explains higher VBF in CCA in subjects with greater head circumference.