Hi Dr. Sharka - I Am Going For A Doppler

Posted on Mon, 29 Apr 2019

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Mon, 29 Apr 2019 Answered on

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Question : Hi Dr. Sharka - I am going for a Doppler of my carotid on May 6. Last time we did an ultra sound some 6 years ago, there was a tiny amount of non-porous , echo-dense plaque - a tiny amount at the forks. In 2016, the same thing.
My cardiologist listed very carefully with his stethoscope last week to my carotid for 15 minutes, with breathing and non-breathing and could hear only very, very faint bruits. Hopefully, my condition there has not changed that much. Would he not be able to hear it imore if it were more pronounced? And more stenotic?
Thank you as always! XXXXXXX r.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I would explian as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, dear Michael!

Let me explain that carotid sounds during auscultation are helpful in guiding through possible vascular stenosis.

Nevertheless it is not possible to conclude on any potential atherosclerotic plaque progression based only on stethoscope auscultation.

From the other side, it is likely that considering a stable plaque mass through the two Doppler ultrasounds no important atherosclerotic progression be present.

Otherwise, at least a more loud and harsh vascular sound would be present.

When listening during breath hold it is not difficult to distinguish a more pronounced vascular bruit.

I don't believe this is an issue of concern, so don't worry about it!

Let me know the results of the new Doppler ultrasound for a second opinion when it will be available.

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar