Is the asymmetry between the vertebral arteries related to cerebral dominance?

Background/aim: The two vertebral arteries (VAs) are usually unequal in size; the left one is generally larger than the right one. It washypothesized that the asymmetry results from the need of the dominant cerebral hemisphere for more glucose and oxygen, i.e. moreblood supply. In this study, we aimed to test this hypothesis in patients by evaluating their arterial diameter and hand preference, as it isthe most common criterion to determine the dominance of the hemisphere.Materials and methods: The study was performed with 844 participants who consented to participate in the study. We identified thedominant cerebral hemisphere by asking participants about their hand preference. Then we measured both the VA diameter and VAflow volume by Doppler ultrasonography. After demonstrating the asymmetry, correlation was tested.Results: Among 844 participants included in the study, the mean diameter of the right VA was 3.14 ± 0.35 mm and that of the left VAwas 3.41 ± 0.54 mm, while the mean flow volume of the right VA was 119.21 ± 44.98 mL/min and that of the left VA was 151.45 ± 57.26mL/min. It was recorded that 771 (86.43%) participants were right-handed and 73 (8.18%) were left-handed.Conclusion: No significant relationship was found between the increased blood demand of the dominant cerebral hemisphere and thevertebral artery dominance.

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