Screening Asymptomatic Patients for Carotid Artery Stenosis

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force continues to recommend against such screening.

Sponsoring Organization: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Target Audience: Primary care clinicians

Background and Objective

Mortality from stroke has decreased significantly during the past 50 years; better blood pressure control is thought to be the most important factor in this decline. Although carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is a risk factor for stroke, it is the cause in only a small proportion. The USPSTF has updated its 2007 recommendation statement on screening asymptomatic adults for carotid artery stenosis (NEJM JW Gen Med Jan 15 2008).

Key Points

Auscultation for carotid bruits has limited value (estimated sensitivity, 46%–77%; estimated specificity, 71%–98%) to detect CAS.
Carotid ultrasound has high sensitivity (98%) and sp…

Reviewing Authors

Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportColorado Health Foundation

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportColorado Health Foundation

Screening Asymptomatic Patients for Carotid Artery Stenosis

Topics

Background and Objective

Key Points

Reviewing Authors