Carotid Doppler

A carotid artery ultrasound exam is used to identify a narrowing in the carotid arteries of the neck . This ultrasound exam detects blockages, plaques, and aneurysms. Visualization of these neck arteries is excellent with ultrasound and has high sensitivity and specificity identifying abnormal flow. Plaque buildup, blockage of blood flow and plaque rupture are the major causes of stroke. This test includes a CIMT – Carotid Intima Media Thickness measurement. This wall thickness measurement is a simple and inexpensive tool to assess the cumulative effect of atherosclerotic risk factors and is an independent predictor of future cardiovascular event risk.