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Choosing Wisely®

Screening for Carotid Artery Stenosis in Asymptomatic Adult Patients

Recommendation

Don’t screen for carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in asymptomatic adult patients.

There is good evidence that for adult patients with no symptoms of carotid artery stenosis, the harms of screening outweigh the benefits.
Screening could lead to non-indicated surgeries that result in serious harms, including death, stroke and myocardial infarction.

More About Choosing Wisely®

About Choosing Wisely®

The Choosing Wisely® campaign was created as an initiative of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation to improve health care quality. More than 70 specialty societies have identified commonly used tests or procedures within their specialties that are possibly overused.

Learn more about the AAFP support of the Choosing Wisely® campaign.

This recommendation is provided solely for informational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Patients with any specific questions about this recommendation or their individual situation should consult their physician.