Carotid colour Doppler

SUMMARY Following the introduction of a carotid colour duplex Doppler service, a retrospective survey of the second 100 patients examined was undertaken to determine the accuracy of the examination compared with angiography and surgery, and to assess the clinical efficacy of the results with a review of the final diagnosis, how that diagnosis was achieved and whether the test had helped assess the patient's illness or altered the medical management and/or the outcome of the patient's illness. The results indicated the expected accuracy of over 94% and that the examination helped assess the patient's illness in 92%, altered the management plan in 40% and altered the outcome of the patient's illness in 14% where the disease prevalence was 16%.