
The recommendation applies to adults without a history of stroke or neurologic. Although it is a risk factor for stroke and marker for increased risk of myocardial infarction, it causes a relatively small proportion of strokes in the United States. If your doctor ordered the carotid ultrasound as a follow-up to a surgical procedure, your doctor can explain whether the treatment is working, and whether you’ll need additional treatment or follow-up exams. Carotid artery stenosis is the atherosclerotic disease that affects extracranial carotid arteries. Doppler is a physics term that allows the blood flow to be seen in colour and measured quantitatively. TCD and Carotid Duplex studies are non-invasive ultrasound methods used to examine the blood circulation of the arteries.

The sonographer will explain to you that you might hear some noise occasionally which is the Doppler ultrasound.

You shouldn’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. Patients with less than 50 stenosis typically are managed medically with the use of anti-platelet aggregates, while those with more than 70 stenosis may be considered surgical candidates. The sonographer then gently presses the transducer against the side of your neck. The treatment decision for carotid stenosis largely is based on the degree of stenosis and history of symptoms. The gel helps transmit the ultrasound waves back and forth.
#Carotid doppler skin#
Warm gel will then be applied to your skin above the site of each carotid artery. The sonographer may position your head to better access the side of your neck with suitable pillow for extension. During the procedure, you’ll likely lie on your back during the ultrasound. A carotid ultrasound usually takes about 30 minutes. Please don’t wear a necklace or dangling earrings in order to provide area in neck for imaging.

Wear a comfortable shirt with no collar or an open collar. The results can help your doctor determine a treatment to lower your stroke risk. This test can show narrowing or possible blockages due to plaque build-up in the arteries which increases the risk of stroke. A carotid Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging test that uses ultrasound to examine the carotid arteries located in the neck.
