A new approach for the screening of carotid lesions: a 'fast-track' method with the use of new generation hand-held ultrasound devices.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the usefulness of fast-track neck sonography with a new-generation hand-held ultrasound scanner in the detection of > or =60% carotid stenosis.


METHODS
Patients with a past history of atherosclerotic disease or presence of risk factors were enrolled. All had fast-track carotid screening with a hand-held ultrasound scanner.


METHODS
Initial assessment was performed with our quick imaging protocol. A second examiner performed a conventional complete carotid duplex as gold-standard.


RESULTS
We enrolled 197 consecutive patients with a mean age of 67 years (range 35-94). A carotid stenosis >60% was detected in 13 cases (6%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of fast-track sonography was 100%, 64%, 17% and 100%, respectively. Concomitant power Doppler imaging during the fast-track method did not improve accuracy.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a fast-track method with a hand-held ultrasound device can reduce the number of unnecessary carotid Duplex and enhance the screening efficiency without missing significant carotid stenoses.
Aboyans
V
V
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and Vascular Medicine, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges, France.
Lacroix
P
P
Jeannicot
A
A
Guilloux
J
J
Bertin
F
F
Laskar
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation