Echo society issues rules for carotid ultrasound

March 4, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Echo society issues rules for carotid ultrasound Stenosis of 75% or greater indicates aggressive treatment in consensus statement for clinical pratice H. A. Abella -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The American Society of Echocardiography has issued a new consensus statement to aid physicians in interpreting and responding to results of carotid artery ultrasound. The guidelines set stenosis degree of 75% or greater as the threshold for aggressive treatment. Carotid ultrasound has been used as a research tool for more than two decades and is increasingly turning into an established clinical practice. The ASE consensus statement provides standards for patient selection, scanning protocol, and interpretation to guide doctors on proper patient selection and management decisions. It provides specific guidance for detecting early atherosclerotic plaques and increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). The document, however, recommends skipping imaging unless the results would be expected to alter therapy.

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