Deprecated: Return type of DrupalCacheArray::offsetExists($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetExists(mixed $offset): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc on line 362

Deprecated: Return type of DrupalCacheArray::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc on line 369

Deprecated: Return type of DrupalCacheArray::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc on line 381

Deprecated: Return type of DrupalCacheArray::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc on line 388
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

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

×

Error message

  • Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_environment_initialize() (line 695 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_environment_initialize() (line 696 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_environment_initialize() (line 697 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_environment_initialize() (line 700 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_environment_initialize() (line 702 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in include_once() (line 328 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/sites/default/settings.php).
  • Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in include_once() (line 329 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/sites/default/settings.php).
  • Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in include_once() (line 337 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/sites/default/settings.php).
  • Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in include_once() (line 344 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/sites/default/settings.php).
  • Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_settings_initialize() (line 819 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Warning: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_settings_initialize() (line 828 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Warning: session_name(): Session name cannot be changed after headers have already been sent in drupal_settings_initialize() (line 831 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/bootstrap.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementBase::execute($args = [], $options = []) should either be compatible with PDOStatement::execute(?array $params = null): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2244 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::key() should either be compatible with Iterator::key(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::valid() should either be compatible with Iterator::valid(): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home/rprlib/prod72/www/includes/database/database.inc).
Author/s: 
Cowdrey, D., Hahn, T. W., Vellardita, L.
Date Added: 
September 23, 2021
Journal/Publication: 
The Journal of Family Practice
Publication Date: 
September 1, 2021
Issue: 
7
Volume: 
70
Pages: 
357-358
Type: 
Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

RPR Commentary

Carotid artery calcifications are not a good indicator of stenosis.

Abstract

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER:
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.