Skip to main content

Noninvasive Vascular Lab Testing for Carotids, Vertebrals, and Transcranial Doppler

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Extracranial Carotid and Vertebral Artery Disease

Abstract

Duplex ultrasound has supplanted almost every other noninvasive diagnostic test to evaluate patients with suspected cerebrovascular disease. Improvements in technology and expertise in interpretation have led to reliance on duplex testing in many cases as the sole diagnostic test in these patients with few limitations. While plaque characterization is important, physiologic hemodynamic measurements are very accurate in determining the degree of stenosis in carotid, vertebral, and intracranial arterial systems. Multi-specialty consensus criteria have now been established for vascular laboratories that do not have internally validated criteria of their own. Accreditation of vascular laboratories has resulted in an expectation of minimal baseline quality of testing. Advances continue to occur in further refinement of equipment, new imaging tools, and interpretation criteria.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Study design for randomized prospective trial of carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic atherosclerosis. The Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study Group. Stroke. 1989;20(7):844–9.

    Google Scholar 

  2. AbuRahma AF. Overview of various noninvasive cerebrovascular techniques. In: AbuRahma AF, Bergan JJ, editors. Noninvasive vascular diagnosis: a practical guide to therapy. 2nd ed. London: Springer; 2007. p. 50–9.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  3. Mozersky DJ, Hokanson DE, Sumner DS, Strandness DE Jr. Ultrasonic visualization of the arterial lumen. Surgery. 1972;72(2):253–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Zierler RE, Kohler TR, Strandness DE Jr. Duplex scanning of normal or minimally diseased carotid arteries: correlation with arteriography and clinical outcome. J Vasc Surg. 1990;12(4):447–54; discussion 54-5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Dawson DL, Zierler RE, Strandness DE Jr, Clowes AW, Kohler TR. The role of duplex scanning and arteriography before carotid endarterectomy: a prospective study. J Vasc Surg. 1993;18(4):673–80; discussion 80-3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Aburahma AF, Thiele SP, Wulu JT Jr. Prospective controlled study of the natural history of asymptomatic 60% to 69% carotid stenosis according to ultrasonic plaque morphology. J Vasc Surg. 2002;36(3):437–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Gronholdt ML, Nordestgaard BG, Schroeder TV, Vorstrup S, Sillesen H. Ultrasonic echolucent carotid plaques predict future strokes. Circulation. 2001;104(1):68–73.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. AbuRahma AF, Jarrett KS. Duplex scanning of the carotid arteries. In: AbuRahma AF, Bergan JJ, editors. Noninvasive vascular diagnosis: a practical guide to therapy. 2nd ed. London: Springer; 2007. p. 60–88.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  9. Polak JF, Dobkin GR, O'Leary DH, Wang AM, Cutler SS. Internal carotid artery stenosis: accuracy and reproducibility of color-Doppler-assisted duplex imaging. Radiology. 1989;173(3):793–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Spadone DP, Barkmeier LD, Hodgson KJ, Ramsey DE, Sumner DS. Contralateral internal carotid artery stenosis or occlusion: pitfall of correct ipsilateral classification—a study performed with color-flow imaging. J Vasc Surg. 1990;11(5):642–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Mattos MA, Hodgson KJ, Ramsey DE, Barkmeier LD, Sumner DS. Identifying total carotid occlusion with colour flow duplex scanning. Eur J Vasc Surg. 1992;6(2):204–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Londrey GL, Spadone DP, Hodgson KJ, Ramsey DE, Barkmeier LD, Sumner DS. Does color-flow imaging improve the accuracy of duplex carotid evaluation? J Vasc Surg. 1991;13(5):659–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Moneta GL, Edwards JM, Chitwood RW, Taylor LM Jr, Lee RW, Cummings CA, et al. Correlation of North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) angiographic definition of 70% to 99% internal carotid artery stenosis with duplex scanning. J Vasc Surg. 1993;17(1):152–7; discussion 7-9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ribo M, Alexandrov AV. Vertebral artery ultrasonography. In: AbuRahma AF, Bergan JJ, editors. Noninvasive vascular diagnosis: a practical guide to therapy. 2nd ed. London: Springer; 2007. p. 97–102.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  15. Bornstein NM, Norris JW. Subclavian steal: a harmless haemodynamic phenomenon? Lancet. 1986;2(8502):303–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF), American College of Radiology (ACR), American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), American Society of Nephrology (ASN), Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL), Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), Society for Interventional Radiology (SIR), Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM), Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), American Academy of Neurology, American Podiatric Medical Association, Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Society for Vascular Ultrasound, Peripheral Vascular Ultrasound, Mohler ER, Gornik HL, Gerhard-Herman M, et al. ACCF/ACR/AIUM/ASE/ASN/ICAVL/SCAI/SCCT/SIR/SVM/SVS 2012 appropriate use criteria for peripheral vascular ultrasound and physiological testing part I: arterial ultrasound and physiological testing: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, American College of Radiology, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Nephrology, Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Interventional Radiology, Society for Vascular Medicine, and Society for Vascular Surgery. J Vasc Surg. 2012;56:e17–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Satiani B, Masterson L, Kudlaty E, Starr JE, Go MR. Significant cost savings can result from accurate coding of carotid duplex indications and elimination of inappropriate tests. J Angiol Vasc Surg. 2016;1:002.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Shakhnovich I, Kiser D, Satiani B. Importance of validation of accuracy of duplex ultrasonography in identifying moderate and severe carotid artery stenosis. Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2010;44(6):483–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. AbuRahma AF, Srivastava M, Stone PA, Mousa AY, Jain A, Dean LS, et al. Critical appraisal of the Carotid Duplex Consensus criteria in the diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis. J Vasc Surg. 2011;53(1):53–9; discussion 9-60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Braun RM, Bertino RE, Milbrandt J, Bray M, Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound Consensus Criteria to a Single Institution Clinical Practice. Ultrasound imaging of carotid artery stenosis: application of the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound Consensus Criteria to a Single Institution Clinical Practice. Ultrasound Q. 2008;24(3):161–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Shaalan WE, Wahlgren CM, Desai T, Piano G, Skelly C, Bassiouny HS. Reappraisal of velocity criteria for carotid bulb/internal carotid artery stenosis utilizing high-resolution B-mode ultrasound validated with computed tomography angiography. J Vasc Surg. 2008;48(1):104–12; discussion 12-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Lal BK, Hobson RW 2nd, Goldstein J, Chakhtoura EY, Duran WN. Carotid artery stenting: is there a need to revise ultrasound velocity criteria? J Vasc Surg. 2004;39(1):58–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Sabetai MM, Tegos TJ, Nicolaides AN, El-Atrozy TS, Dhanjil S, Griffin M, et al. Hemispheric symptoms and carotid plaque echomorphology. J Vasc Surg. 2000;31(1 Pt 1):39–49.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Tegos TJ, Sabetai MM, Nicolaides AN, Elatrozy TS, Dhanjil S, Stevens JM. Patterns of brain computed tomography infarction and carotid plaque echogenicity. J Vasc Surg. 2001;33(2):334–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Nicolaides AN, Griffin M, Kakkos SK, Geroulakos G, Kyriacou E, Georgiou N. Ultrasonic characterization of carotid plaques. In: AbuRahma AF, Bergan JJ, editors. Noninvasive vascular diagnosis: a practical guide to therapy. 2nd ed. London: Springer; 2007. p. 127–48.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  26. Davies MJ, Richardson PD, Woolf N, Katz DR, Mann J. Risk of thrombosis in human atherosclerotic plaques: role of extracellular lipid, macrophage, and smooth muscle cell content. Br Heart J. 1993;69(5):377–81.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Falk E. Why do plaques rupture? Circulation. 1992;86(6 Suppl):III30–42.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. de Bray JM, Baud JM, Delanoy P, Camuzat JP, Dehans V, Descamp-Le Chevoir J, et al. Reproducibility in ultrasonic characterization of carotid plaques. Cerebrovasc Dis. 1998;8(5):273–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Polak JF, Shemanski L, O’Leary DH, Lefkowitz D, Price TR, Savage PJ, et al. Hypoechoic plaque at US of the carotid artery: an independent risk factor for incident stroke in adults aged 65 years or older. Cardiovascular Health Study. Radiology. 1998;208(3):649–54.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Liapis CD, Kakisis JD, Kostakis AG. Carotid stenosis: factors affecting symptomatology. Stroke. 2001;32(12):2782–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Carra G, Visona A, Bonanome A, Lusiani L, Pesavento R, Bortolon M, et al. Carotid plaque morphology and cerebrovascular events. Int Angiol. 2003;22(3):284–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Iannuzzi A, Wilcosky T, Mercuri M, Rubba P, Bryan FA, Bond MG. Ultrasonographic correlates of carotid atherosclerosis in transient ischemic attack and stroke. Stroke. 1995;26(4):614–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Golledge J, Cuming R, Ellis M, Davies AH, Greenhalgh RM. Carotid plaque characteristics and presenting symptom. Br J Surg. 1997;84(12):1697–701.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Geroulakos G, Ramaswami G, Nicolaides A, James K, Labropoulos N, Belcaro G, et al. Characterization of symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid plaques using high-resolution real-time ultrasonography. Br J Surg. 1993;80(10):1274–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. O’Donnell TF Jr, Erdoes L, Mackey WC, McCullough J, Shepard A, Heggerick P, et al. Correlation of B-mode ultrasound imaging and arteriography with pathologic findings at carotid endarterectomy. Arch Surg. 1985;120(4):443–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Moore WS, Ziomek S, Quinones-Baldrich WJ, Machleder HI, Busuttil RW, Baker JD. Can clinical evaluation and noninvasive testing substitute for arteriography in the evaluation of carotid artery disease? Ann Surg. 1988;208(1):91–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Norris JW, Halliday A. Is ultrasound sufficient for vascular imaging prior to carotid endarterectomy? Stroke. 2004;35(2):370–1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Moore WS. For severe carotid stenosis found on ultrasound, further arterial evaluation is unnecessary. Stroke. 2003;34(7):1816–7; discussion 9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Gupta A, Kesavabhotla K, Baradaran H, et al. Plaque echolucency and stroke risk in asymptomatic carotid stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Stroke. 2015;46:91–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Kate GL, van Dijk AC, van den Oord SC, et al. Usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for detection of carotid plaque ulceration in patients with symptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. Am J Cardiol. 2013;112:292–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Yao J, van Sambeek MR, Dall’Agata A, et al. Three-dimensional ultrasound study of carotid arteries before and after endarterectomy: analysis of stenotic lesions and surgical impact on the vessel. Stroke. 1998;29:2026–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Aaslid R, Markwalder TM, Nornes H. Noninvasive transcranial Doppler ultrasound recording of flow velocity in basal cerebral arteries. J Neurosurg. 1982;57(6):769–74.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Ribo M, Alexandrov AV. Transcranial Doppler sonography. In: AbuRahma AF, Bergan JJ, editors. Noninvasive vascular diagnosis: a practical guide to therapy. 2nd ed. London: Springer; 2007. p. 103–26.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  44. Adams R, McKie V, Nichols F, Carl E, Zhang DL, McKie K, et al. The use of transcranial ultrasonography to predict stroke in sickle cell disease. N Engl J Med. 1992;326(9):605–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Moehring MA, Spencer MP. Power M-mode Doppler (PMD) for observing cerebral blood flow and tracking emboli. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2002;28(1):49–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Newell DW, Grady MS, Eskridge JM, Winn HR. Distribution of angiographic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage: implications for diagnosis by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Neurosurgery. 1990;27(4):574–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Kelley RE, Namon RA, Juang SH, Lee SC, Chang JY. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography of the middle cerebral artery in the hemodynamic assessment of internal carotid artery stenosis. Arch Neurol. 1990;47(9):960–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Gaunt ME, Martin PJ, Smith JL, Rimmer T, Cherryman G, Ratliff DA, et al. Clinical relevance of intraoperative embolization detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography during carotid endarterectomy: a prospective study of 100 patients. Br J Surg. 1994;81(10):1435–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Cao P, Giordano G, Zannetti S, De Rango P, Maghini M, Parente B, et al. Transcranial Doppler monitoring during carotid endarterectomy: is it appropriate for selecting patients in need of a shunt? J Vasc Surg. 1997;26(6):973–9; discussion 9-80.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Mancini M, De Chiara S, Postiglione A, Ferrara LA. Transcranial Doppler evaluation of cerebrovascular reactivity to acetazolamide in normal subjects. Artery. 1993;20(4):231–41.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Sugimori H, Ibayashi S, Irie K, Ooboshi H, Nagao T, Fujii K, et al. Cerebral hemodynamics in hypertensive patients compared with normotensive volunteers. A transcranial Doppler study. Stroke. 1994;25(7):1384–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Ducrocq X, Braun M, Debouverie M, Junges C, Hummer M, Vespignani H. Brain death and transcranial Doppler: experience in 130 cases of brain dead patients. J Neurol Sci. 1998;160(1):41–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Demchuk AM, Burgin WS, Christou I, Felberg RA, Barber PA, Hill MD, et al. Thrombolysis in brain ischemia (TIBI) transcranial Doppler flow grades predict clinical severity, early recovery, and mortality in patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. Stroke. 2001;32(1):89–93.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bhagwan Satiani .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

El Sayed, H.F., Mouawad, N.J., Satiani, B. (2018). Noninvasive Vascular Lab Testing for Carotids, Vertebrals, and Transcranial Doppler. In: Hans, S. (eds) Extracranial Carotid and Vertebral Artery Disease. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-91533-3_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-91533-3_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-91532-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-91533-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics