[Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis--is screening useful?]

Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2015 Aug;140(16):1192-4. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-102034. Epub 2015 Aug 11.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Stenoses of the carotid artery are associated with an increased stroke risk. Duplex ultrasound is the method of choice for screening for carotid artery stenosis. Unselected screening for carotid stenosis in unselected persons is not efficient and cannot be recommended. Screening by vascular ultrasound, however, is indicated in patients with neurologic symptoms from cerebral territories supplied by the anterior or mid cerebral artery, and in asymptomatic patients with carotid bruits, atherosclerotic disease in other vascular territories, after contralateral carotid artery revascularization, and after radiation therapy of the neck.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain Ischemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Ischemia / epidemiology
  • Brain Ischemia / etiology
  • Brain Ischemia / prevention & control
  • Carotid Stenosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carotid Stenosis / epidemiology*
  • Carotid Stenosis / etiology
  • Carotid Stenosis / prevention & control
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening*
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Stroke / diagnostic imaging
  • Stroke / epidemiology
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Stroke / prevention & control
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex*