Wall shear rate and energy loss coefficient measures using conventional Doppler ultrasound do not predict carotid plaque progression.

The rate of carotid plaque progression is believed to be related to blood flow hemodynamics and shear stress. Our objective was to determine if wall shear rate (WSR) and the energy loss coefficient (ELC) measured by Doppler ultrasound could predict atherosclerotic carotid disease progression. Patients at a large tertiary center with an initial ultrasound between 2016 and 2018 with a significant carotid plaque were included if they had at least one 6 months follow-up comparative study.

Utility of unilateral versus bilateral venous reflux studies for venous insufficiency.

Objective: Duplex ultrasonography is the reference standard for diagnosing chronic venous insufficiency. Bilateral venous reflux ultrasound studies are among the most time-consuming and physically demanding tests for vascular ultrasound technologists to perform. Furthermore, if a venous procedure is required, many insurance policies require that a diagnostic venous ultrasound scan for reflux must be performed within 1 year of the procedure.

Deep vein thrombosis protocol optimization to minimize healthcare worker exposure in coronavirus disease-2019.

Objective: There are no societal ultrasound (US) guidelines detailing appropriate patient selection for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) imaging in patients with COVID-19, nor are there protocol recommendations aimed at decreasing exposure time for US technologists. We aimed to provide COVID-19-specific protocol optimization recommendations limiting US technologist exposure while optimizing patient selection.

Methods: A novel two-pronged algorithm was implemented to limit the DVT US studies on patients with COVID-19 prospectively, which included direct physician communication with the care team and a COVID-19-specific imaging protocol was instated to reduce US technologist exposure.