Do carotid artery calcifications seen on radiographs predict stenosis in asymptomatic adults?

Authors

Diana Cowdrey, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison.
Thomas W. Hahn, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison.
Lia Vellardita, Ebling Library, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison.
Richard Guthmann, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow

Recommended Citation

Cowdrey D, Hahn TW, Vellardita L, Guthmann R. Do carotid artery calcifications seen on radiographs predict stenosis in asymptomatic adults?. J Fam Pract. 2021;70(7):357-358. doi:10.12788/jfp.0270

Affiliations

Advocate Illinois Masonic Family Medicine Residency

Abstract

NOT VERY WELL. IN ASYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS, CAROTID ARTERY CALCIFICATION SEEN ON RADIOGRAPH HAS A POSITIVE PREDICTIVE VALUE OF 70% AND A NEGATIVE PREDICTIVE VALUE OF 75% FOR CAROTID ARTERY STENOSIS (STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION [SOR]: B, SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES WITH HETEROGENEOUS RESULTS AND A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY). CAROTID CALCIFICATIONS ON RADIOGRAPHS MAY BE MORE PREDICTIVE OF CAROTID STENOSIS IN PEOPLE WITH ATHEROSCLEROTIC RISK FACTORS (SOR: C, CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY). HARMS OUTWEIGH BENEFITS IN SCREENING FOR CAROTID ARTERY STENOSIS IN ASYMPTOMATIC ADULTS (SOR: B, MULTIPLE COHORT STUDIES); THEREFORE, INCIDENTAL RADIOGRAPHIC CAROTID ARTERY CALCIFICATIONS IN ASYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS SHOULD NOT PROMPT FURTHER TESTING.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

34818171