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Carotid duplex
Definition
Carotid duplex is a procedure that uses ultrasound to look for plaques, blood clots, or other problems with blood flow in the carotid artery walls and lumen (interior). The carotid arteries, located in the neck, supply blood to the brain.
Alternative Names
How the Test is Performed
The test is done in the peripheral vascular lab or radiology department of a hospital. You are placed on your back and your head will be supported to prevent movement.
A water-soluble gel is placed on the skin where the transducer (a handheld device that directs the high-frequency sound waves to the arteries being tested) is to be placed. The gel helps transmit the sound to the skin surface. The ultrasound is turned on and images of the carotid arteries and pulse wave forms are obtained.
How to Prepare for the Test
No special preparation is necessary.
How the Test Will Feel
The test is noninvasive and painless.
Why the Test is Performed
The test assesses blood flow and is used to detect the conditions involving stenosis (narrowing and hardening), thrombosis (clotting), and other causes of obstruction in the carotid arteries.
Normal Results
The artery is free of any obstructions, stenosis, or thrombosis, and there is no flow abnormality. There is no turbulence or disruption in the arterial blood flow.
What Abnormal Results Mean
There is a disturbance of the blood flow in the artery related to stenotic, obstructive, or thrombotic diseases (for example, atherosclerosis).
Risks
There are no specific risks related to this procedure.
Reviewed By: Jeffrey J. Brown, MD, FACR, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
