Quality IQ Quiz - Vascular Testing (September 2023)

In October 2021, IAC recommended that accredited facilities use the modified SRU Consensus Interpretation Criteria for ICA stenosis. The recommendation was based on the work of Gornik et al. published in Vascular Medicine titled “Optimization of duplex velocity criteria for diagnosis of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis: A report of the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) Vascular Testing Division Carotid Diagnostic Criteria Committee.” One of the primary changes in the modified SRU criteria is a higher PSV value of 180 cm/sec to 230 cm/sec for 50-69% stenosis.

Question Title

* All of the following statements are true EXCEPT:

a) There may be selected cases with 50-69% ICA stenosis in which PSV < 180 cm/sec, but there is elevated ICA/CCA PSV ratio > 2.0 with significant plaque and other features of stenosis (e.g., post-stenotic turbulence).

b) All Doppler and gray scale parameters should be considered when interpreting the degree of ICA stenosis.

c) The modified SRU Consensus Interpretation Criteria parameters include ICA PSV, Plaque Estimate, ICA/CCA PSV Ratio, and ICA EDV.

d) The sky is falling