Carotid duplex

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Carotid duplex

Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the left artery

Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the right artery

Carotid duplex is an ultrasound test that shows how well blood is flowing through the carotid arteries. The carotid arteries are located in the neck. They supply blood to the brain.

Scan - carotid duplex; Carotid ultrasound; Carotid artery ultrasound; Ultrasound - carotid; Vascular ultrasound - carotid; Ultrasound - vascular - carotid

The test is done in a vascular lab or radiology department of a hospital. You will be asked to lie on your back. Your head will be supported to prevent it from moving.

The health care provider applies a water-soluble gel on your skin and gently runs a handheld device called a transducer over the area of the carotid arteries in your neck.

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The device sends high-frequency sound waves to the arteries in your neck. The sound waves bounce off the blood vessels and form images or pictures of the insides of the arteries.

No preparation is necessary.

You may feel some pressure as the probe is moved around your neck. The pressure should not cause any pain. You may also hear a "whooshing" sound.

The carotid duplex test checks blood flow in the carotid arteries. It can detect:

• Blood clotting (thrombosis)
• Narrowing in the arteries (stenosis)
• Other causes of blockage in the carotid arteries

Your doctor may order this test if:

• You have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• You need a follow-up test because:
  • The carotid artery was found to be narrowed in the past
  • You have had surgery on your carotid artery
• Your doctor hears an abnormal sound called a bruit over the carotid neck arteries. This may mean the artery is narrowed.

Review Date: 07/10/2010
Reviewed By: Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, and Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).