Duplex Ultrasonography Following Carotid Artery Stent Placement

Abstract

Carotid artery disease remains a major etiology of ischemic stroke. As data emerges demonstrating the safety and efficacy of carotid artery stenting, the importance of determining patency of carotid stents over time increases. Given alterations in the architecture and compliance of the carotid artery after a stent is deployed, subtleties in the performance and interpretation of carotid duplex ultrasonography must be appreciated. This section describes these factors in detail, and provides optimal methods to interpret these examinations.