Has anyone had an exam by this name before? Just curious what it involves and if it is recommended. I had my annual heart echo exam today for leaking aortic valve monitoring that I have had for several years. When the topic came up regarding OC and my 2006 treatment my Cardiologist wanted me to schedule for the carotid duplex procedure in his office. I'm told that it is a way to check on potential artery blockage that can result from radiation to head/neck area. Just wondering if it is a worthwhile procedure?

Thanks,

Bill Dozier

I had mine biopsied but nothing else. It has me wondering now , or should I say your question does.

I've had a it several times. It's not big deal, just an ultrasound of your arteries. A common by-product of their exposure to radiation is the formation of scar tissue n them, reducing blood flow to the brain. This scar tissue can become a problem, but not like occlusion of the carotids by plaques (from a life of eating to many fats and having high blood lipids) that can break off and cause a stroke. It is a permanent thickening of the wall, and isn't going to get better - nor have a small portion break off causing strokes. But it in some cases it causes the need for a shunt to have to be placed in them to open the area up. I am about 50% occluded, enough where I can get dizzy getting up too quickly or pulling too many G's in my airplane. It started getting worse ironically about year 7. I don't care for the data on coated inserts, nor uncoated ones, so I am living with things the way they are.

Now I got it. My bnrother in law just hade stents put in his. The blockage was well into the danger zone. HIs was from bad food.He had his 3 month check up today amd goes back to Pittsburgh in 6 months for the next check.

The test is very easy, painless. Just an ultrsound. My Dr said after a year or so after all treatments are completed he always checks the Carotid because of the rad. According to him it is std precautuionary. He will do again after 3 yrs he siad it was a worthwhile endeaver so far he and the board have been on spot on everything so I normally listen and obey.

The test is nothing. Takes about 15 minutes. I had to have my carotid artery stented last year as it was over 90% occluded. Fought with the first hospital because apparently a neurologist study says that stenting in FEMALES produces no better results than doing nothing, but the cardiologist told me the study was flawed because they didn't have enough women in the study. Asked for a second opinion and landed at another hosptial that treats patients not statistics. Very glad I did because they also discovered another blockage in my right iliac artery that was causing me leg pain. Had both carotid and iliac stented and am doing fine. If you looked at the before and after pictures of my carotid, you would wonder how I made it around. One can live with total blockage of one of the carotids UNTIL the other starts blocking. Then you are in deep trouble. This is what killed my father. I didn't want to go there. Have the test. It seems to be a lot cheaper in the doctors office than it is at a hospital but if you have insurance, that shouldn't be a problem.

Take care,
Eileen

Did you all get this done as per your ENT or GP and who initiated it? No one has suggested this for me.

My Rad Dr has this test as part of the Std after after Rad care. He schedules about 1 yr after completion of RAD treatmernts and at 3 yr post Rad. As I go to CCC my ENT is aware of and supports

My GP picked up a 'gurgling' sound in my carotid on one of my routine 3 monthly checkups for BP. He ordered the first test I had which occurred in his office. I think that showed 70% blockage. A follow up with a cardiovascular surgeon a year later showed 99% blockage. That's when I went for the stent. I have a follow up scan scheduled for June which is 10 months post stenting.

Take care,
Eileen