The two carotid arteries are the main blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. They originate from the main arteries of the body (the aorta and brachiocephalic artery) in the chest and travel up through the neck and into the skull. Atherosclerosis of the right or left carotid artery is the most common cause of a stroke.

A carotid duplex scan is a technique to take a picture of these arteries using sound waves (ultrasound). A soundwave transducer is placed gently on the neck. The walls and interior of the artery are visualized and the velocity of blood flow through the artery is measured. From this data, the presence and severity of narrowing due to atheroscleosis can be determined.

No patient preparation is required. No needles or injections are involved. The test generally takes about 30 minutes to perform.

This test can be performed in conjunction with the assessment of carotid intimal medial thickness.

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