About Video

This video clip shows transpharyngeal echocardiographic diagnosis of left carotid bulb and internal carotid artery stenosis. Color Doppler examination demonstrating the ascending pharyngeal (AP) and other branches of the left external carotid artery. The left internal jugular vein (LIJV) is seen adjacent to the left common carotid artery (LCC). Color Doppler-guided pulsed and continuous wave Doppler examination of the proximal left internal carotid artery shows a peak systolic velocity of 1.8 m/s and a peak diastolic velocity approaching 1.0 m/s, indicative of significant stenosis. Note that the Doppler beam is aligned parallel to the flow direction in the proximal LIC. Pulsed Doppler interrogation of the left internal jugular vein demonstrates continuous venous-type flow signals throughout the cardiac cycle. This video shows a large atherosclerotic plaque at the origin of the left subclavian artery (LSA). The probe was in the upper esophagus. (LIC: left internal carotid artery; AO: Aorta; LEC: Left external carotid artery).