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.
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and Vascular Medicine, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges, France.
V
V
Aboyans
P
P
Lacroix
A
A
Jeannicot
J
J
Guilloux
F
F
Bertin
M
M
Laskar
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