The impact of khat (Catha edulis) on hemodynamics of the common carotid arteries in regular khat chewers: A casecontrol study using doppler ultrasound

• Main Authors: Moawia Gameraddin, Bushra A Abdalmalik, Mohamed Ibrahim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
• Series: Journal of Medical Ultrasound
• Subjects: cardiovascular; carotid; chewers; hemodynamics; khat
• Online Access: http://www.jmuonline.org/article.asp?issn=0929-6441;year=2021;volume=29;issue=1;spage=46;epage=49;aulast=

Background: To evaluate the effect of chewing khat on the hemodynamics of the common carotid arteries (CCAs) using Doppler ultrasound imaging. Methods: This is a cross-sectional case–control study. Fifty volunteers who were chronic regular khat chewers were selected and compared with healthy nonkhat chewers. They were examined using Doppler imaging with a 7–10 MHz linear transducer. The resistivity index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV), and end-diastolic velocity of the CCAs were determined according to the standard protocol of carotid Doppler ultrasound. Results: The RI and PI of the right and left CCAs were significantly higher in khat chewers compared to controls (P < 0.001). The PSV of the right and left CCAs was considerably higher in khat chewers compared to controls (P < 0.001 and 0.04, respectively). Conclusion: The Doppler values of blood flow velocity, resistivity, and pulsatility were significantly higher in chronic regular khat chewers compared to nonkhat chewers. Khat is a significant contributory factor for increasing the hemodynamics of the CCAs.