Carotid screening with duplex ultrasound in elderly asymptomatic patients referred to a vascular surgeon: Is it worthwhile?

The purpose of this study is to prospectively determine the outcome of caro tid duplex ultrasound screening in patients referred to a vascular surgeon for problems other than carotid disease. During a recent 12-month period, 3 07 patients age 65 years and older (mean 76 +/- 8 years) were referred to o ne vascular surgeon for problems other than cerebrovascular disease. Fifty- one percent of the patients were male, 49% were female, 32% were diabetic, 32% were hypertensive, 31% smoked, 20% had coronary artery disease, and 64% had peripheral arterial occlusive disease. All patients underwent a screen ing duplex ultrasound exam of the carotid arteries as approved by our Insti tutional Review Board. The results of our study showed that the prevalence of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis >70% among patients seen by a vascu lar surgeon for problems other than cerebrovascular disease is high (21%) a nd is associated with male gender, advanced age, diabetes mellitus and havi ng quit smoking. Continued carotid artery duplex screening is warranted in this patient population greater than age 65 years.