Oculoplethysmography/carotid phonoangiography: its value as a screening test in patients with suspected carotid artery stenosis.
A review of 291 carotid arteries that were subjected to both oculoplethysmography/carotid phonoangiography (OPG/CPA) and arteriography showed that although 84% of the vessels that were narrowed less than 40% were properly categorized by the noninvasive test, there was poor grading ability for lesions 40% or greater, and an unacceptably high (40%) false-negative rate for marked carotid stenoses. This has been confirmed by others. Analysis of a 15-item questionnaire that was returned by 12 clinicians showed an unwarranted reliance on the OPG/CPA as a screening test in those patients without transient ischemic attacks. A large majority of responding physicians favored endarterectomy in asymptomatic patients with lesions greater than 70%, and the use of OPG/CPA prevented a substantial number of affected individuals from undergoing angiography and subsequent corrective surgery.
D000792:Angiography; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D006801:Humans; D009880:Ophthalmic Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D010991:Plethysmography / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires