title: [Carotid artery screening for stroke prevention].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to identify the risk of impending stroke originating from diseases of the carotid artery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Duplex scanning is the standard method for clinical examination of carotid arteries.
  
  
  METHODS
  By implementing the new standardized German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM) criteria, ultrasound examination enables reliable grading of carotid artery disease and identification of the progression of stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Current guidelines recommend duplex scanning as the standard method. In consequence of finding atherosclerosis, intensive monitoring and therapy of cardiovascular risk factors is mandatory. In cases showing rapid progression of stenosis or a very high degree of stenosis indicating increased risk of stroke, carotid endarterectomy or stenting is warranted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Detection of carotid artery atherosclerosis is uncomplicated and the method is not demanding; however, identification of high-risk carotid disease by exact grading of carotid stenosis requires investigation by an experienced examiner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Screening is recommended for patients exhibiting cardiovascular risk factors but is not recommended for the general population. On detection of carotid stenosis an exact grading of stenosis by an experienced examiner is absolutely essential.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Neurologie, Asklepios Klinik Wandsbek, Alphonsstr. 14, 22043, Hamburg, Deutschland, c.arning@asklepios.com.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arning
mesh_terms: D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020521:Stroke / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures