Patients who have undergone carotid artery surgery may need a follow-up ultrasound to make sure blood flow has been restored. A doctor may order a carotid ultrasound to determine if blood flow is slow or weakened due to blood clots or a split in the layers of the artery wall.Ī carotid ultrasound also may be performed as a screening test for people with high blood pressure or diabetes who are at increased risk for having a stroke. The test may be recommended if an abnormal sound in the carotid artery, called a bruit, is detected using a stethoscope. The patient can resume normal activities immediately after the procedure. No preparation is necessary, and the test is typically completed in about 30 minutes. Test results are interpreted by a radiologist, a doctor specially trained to supervise and analyze radiology examinations.Ī carotid ultrasound test is a painless, non-invasive procedure that is performed in a doctor’s office or the peripheral vascular lab of a hospital. A computer records measurements and creates real-time pictures that can help identify any narrowing, clotting or other blockage in the carotid arteries. A transducer, which emits inaudible sound waves, is then moved gently back and forth over the arteries. A water-soluble gel is placed on the neck area where the carotid arteries are located. There are no symptoms of this disease, but doctors can perform a carotid ultrasound test to diagnose it.ĭuring the test, the patient lies face up on an exam table with the head supported to prevent movement. A stroke may occur if a blood clot becomes lodged in the narrowed artery. People with carotid artery disease have a narrowing, or stenosis, of these arteries caused by a build up of plaque, which is made of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances. These harmless, high-frequency sound waves also are used to capture real-time views of blood flowing through blood vessels, such as carotid arteries.Ĭarotid arteries are located on each side of the neck and supply blood to the brain. Ultrasound imaging is similar to sonar used by boats and utilizes the same kind of sound waves to produce pictures of fetuses in pregnant women. Ultrasound images are captured in real time and show the structure and movement of a body’s internal organs as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.Believe it or not, babies, boats and blood vessels all have something in common. The transducer or probe collects the sound waves that bounce back, and the computer then uses those sound waves to create an image. High-frequency sound waves are transmitted from the probe through the gel into the body. Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves the use of a small transducer or probe and ultrasound gel placed directly on the skin. Leave jewelry at home and wear loose, comfortable clothing. Little or no special preparation is required for the performance of an ultrasound. Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation and has no harmful effects. Ultrasound provides a picture of soft tissues that do not show up well on x-ray images. The Doppler ultrasound study is a technique that evaluates blood flow through a blood vessel. Vascular ultrasound uses sound waves to create real-time pictures of the arteries and veins to evaluate the body’s circulatory system and to help to identify blockages in vessels and detect blood clots. Ultrasound imaging is a noninvasive medical test that helps the physician diagnose and treat medical conditions.
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