Carotid Duplex Imaging copy

Carotid Duplex Imaging

A non-invasive ultrasound technique used to visualize the carotid arteries to assess blood flow and identify blockages.

Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV)

The maximum speed of blood flow during the contraction phase of the heart cycle.

End Diastolic Velocity (EDV)

The speed of blood flow during the relaxation phase of the heart cycle.

Dicrotic Notch

A small notch on the waveform caused by the closure of the aortic valve, marking the transition from systole to diastole.

Triphasic Waveform

A Doppler waveform with three distinct phases typically associated with normal arterial flow.

Biphasic Waveform

A Doppler waveform characterized by two phases, often indicating mild to moderate arterial disease.

Monophasic Waveform

A Doppler waveform with a single phase, indicative of significant arterial disease.

ICA/CCA Ratio

The ratio of the peak systolic velocity in the internal carotid artery to the peak systolic velocity in the common carotid artery, used to assess stenosis.

Resistance Pattern

The characteristic shape of the Doppler waveform influenced by the resistance to blood flow offered by vascular beds.

Zero-Flow Baseline

The level on the Doppler waveform indicating no blood flow.

Echogenicity

The ability of a tissue to reflect ultrasound waves, used to characterize plaques in imaging.

Spectral Broadening

Widening of the Doppler spectral waveform indicating turbulent flow or disturbed hemodynamics.

Cervical Bruits

Abnormal sounds heard during auscultation of the carotid arteries, often indicative of turbulent blood flow due to stenosis.

Doppler Angle

The angle formed between the Doppler ultrasound beam and the direction of blood flow, affecting the accuracy of velocity measurements.

Tortuous Arteries

Arteries that have twists or bends, which can influence Doppler measurements and blood flow.

Pre-Steal Phenomenon

A condition where blood flow reverses in one artery as a result of high resistance in another artery, potentially leading to ischemia.

Spectral Waveform

The graphical representation of blood flow velocities over time, obtained through Doppler ultrasound.

Color Doppler Imaging

A technique that visualizes blood flow and direction using color overlays on ultrasound images.

Normal ICA Results

Characteristics of the internal carotid artery flow pattern that show low resistance and no flow reversal throughout the cardiac cycle.

Normal ECA Results

The expected high resistance Doppler signal from the external carotid artery, reflecting its pulsatile nature.

Normal Vertebral Artery Results

Continuous low-resistive blood flow above the baseline throughout the cardiac cycle in the vertebral artery.