What is A Carotid Artery Duplex Scan?

A carotid artery duplex scan is a type of vascular ultrasound study done to assess the blood flow of the arteries that supply blood from the heart through the neck to the brain. There are four carotid arteries – the right and left internal carotid arteries and the right and left external carotid arteries. One pair (external and internal) is located on each side of the neck.

A carotid artery duplex scan is a noninvasive (the skin is not pierced) procedure. The term “duplex” refers to the fact that two modes of ultrasound are used – Doppler and B-mode. The B-mode transducer (like a microphone) obtains an image of the carotid artery being studied. The Doppler probe within the transducer evaluates the velocity and direction of blood flow in the vessel.

Vivacare public information from The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Last updated January 24, 2008

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