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Carotid duplex - Results

Alternative Names

Scan - carotid duplex; Carotid ultrasound

Normal Values:

A normal result means there is no problem with the blood flow in the carotid arteries. The artery is free of any blockage, narrowing, or other problem.

Note: Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What abnormal results mean:

An abnormal result means there are disturbances in the blood flow in the carotid arteries. This is a sign of atherosclerosis or blood vessel conditions.

Depending on the exact results, your doctor may want you to:

Follow a healthy diet and lifestyle to prevent atherosclerosis
Repeat the test again in the future
Have additional tests (such as cerebral angiography, CT angiography, and MR angiography)
Consider surgery

See the article on atherosclerosis for further treatment information.

Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the left artery

Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the right artery

Carotid duplex

Reviewed last on: 9/13/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for carotid artery stenosis: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.Ann Intern Med. 2007 Dec 18;147(12):854-9.

Meschia JF, Brott TG, Hobson RW 2nd. Diagnosis and invasive management of carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007 Jul;82(7):851-8.

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