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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffA doctor who specializes in the reading of imaging tests (radiologist) will review and interpret the results of your carotid ultrasound. He or she will prepare a report for the doctor who ordered the exam, such as your primary care doctor, a specialist in heart and blood vessel disorders (cardiologist), or a specialist in brain and nervous system disorders (neurologist).
The radiologist may also discuss the results of the test with you immediately after the procedure.
The doctor who ordered the test will explain to you what the carotid ultrasound revealed and how the results affect your medical care. If the test was ordered to screen for stroke risk, your doctor may recommend the following treatments, depending on the severity of blockage:
- Changes in your diet and exercise routine
- Medication to lower blood cholesterol
- Medication to prevent blood clots
- Surgical procedure to remove carotid artery plaques (carotid endarterectomy)
- Surgical procedure to open up and support your carotid arteries (carotid angioplasty and stenting)
If the test was ordered as a follow-up to a surgical procedure, your doctor can explain whether the treatment is working as planned and whether you'll require additional treatment or follow-up exams.
Additional tests
If the results of the carotid ultrasound are unclear, your doctor may order additional imaging tests:
- Computerized tomography (CT), a specialized X-ray technology that produces thin cross-sectional images of soft tissues
- Magnetic resonance imaging, which uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce cross-sectional or 3-D images of soft tissues
- Carotid ultrasound. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/cu/cu_whatis.html. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Ultrasound imaging of the carotid artery. American College of Radiology and Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=us-carotid. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Abdominal ultrasound. American College of Radiology and Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=abdominus. Accessed May 3, 2010.
- ABI. Vascular Disease Foundation. http://www.vdf.org/diseaseinfo/pad/anklebrachial.php. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Carotid endarterectomy. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/carend/carend_what.html. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Stents. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/stents/stents_whatis.html. Accessed April 21, 2010.
- Carotid artery disease. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/catd/catd_whatis.html. Access April 21, 2010.
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