Carotid Ultrasound

A carotid ultrasound is a painless, non-invasive ultrasound imaging test of the carotid arteries in the neck made by placing a probe on the outside of the neck.

A carotid ultrasound allows your doctor to diagnose arterial disease in your neck arteries and is used to predict your risk of cardiovascular events.

Preparation

None.

How is it done?

You will be asked to lie down on your back on the examination couch in the clinic. A vascular ultrasound probe is placed with gel on top of it on each side of your neck.

Multiple views of the carotid or neck arteries are obtained according to a predetermined protocol. Flow through the carotid arteries is measured using the ultrasound probe.

The digital images collected in the test are then sent to your cardiologist for interpretation, and a report is then sent to your referring doctor.

Your cardiologist will arrange a review to discuss the carotid ultrasound results.

Duration

30 minutes.

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