This test is also an ultrasound picture of the carotid arteries as described for the carotid duplex scan. However, the focus of this test is different.

Rather than determining the degree of narrowing of the carotid artery, this measures the thickness of the inner two layers of the wall (the intima and the media) of the carotid artery. Of course, this test can be done in conjunction with the standard carotid duplex scan.

The earliest stages of athersclerosis cause the thickness of these two layers to increase. Thus, this test can be used to detect the earliest stages of atherosclerosis - before it causes symptoms or an abnormal stress test.

It is assumed that if one finds early atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, then the patient probably has atherosclerosis of other arteries, such as the coronary arteries, as well.

Knowing that one has the beginnings of atherosclerosis can be helpful in encouraging the patient to modify risk factors and be alert to symptoms that may indicated progressive atherosclerosis in some arteries of their body. Another test that can detect the earliest stages of atherosclerosis is the coronary artery calcium scan.

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