SIERRA NEVADA MEDICAL ASSOCIATES, INC. (IPA)
UTILIZATION GUIDELINES
DIAGNOSTIC EXAMS
CAROTID DOPPLER STUDY
Carotid Doppler studies are appropriate and recommended for:
1.
Symptoms consistent with treatable carotid territory disease causing anterior
cerebral ischemic syndromes characterized by ipsilateral visual aberrations
associated with contralateral body symptoms such as numbness, weakness, and
speech difficulties.
2.
Suspected dissection of the carotid artery, especially following trauma. (This
should be in conjunction with neurological, neurosurgical or vascular surgery
consultation.)
3.
Preoperative evaluation in cardiac surgery if there is a reasonable likelihood of
severe carotid stenosis or there is a prior history of TIA in the anterior circulation.
4.
Investigation of carotid bruits.
Carotid Doppler studies are not indicated in the evaluation of:
1.
Vague symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, neck pain, bilateral visual loss,
memory loss, dysarthria.
2.
Other symptoms that are not typical of carotid territory disease.
Neurological consultation may be necessary prior to obtaining carotid Doppler studies if
it is uncertain whether the symptoms represent ischemia of the carotid circulation.
DE - CAROTID
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