What sign is commonly associated with atherosclerosis in carotid arteries?

What sign is commonly associated with atherosclerosis in carotid arteries?

• A. Pulmonary crackles in the lungs
• B. Diminished peripheral pulses only
• C. Elevated liver enzymes
• D. Carotid bruits

Answer: (D)

Turbulent blood flow through a narrowed carotid artery from atherosclerosis produces sounds heard with a stethoscope, known as a carotid bruit. This auscultated sign over the carotid artery indicates carotid stenosis and flags an increased risk of TIAs or stroke, making it the classic clinical clue for carotid artery disease. Other signs mentioned reflect problems in other systems (lung crackles from fluid overload, generally decreased pulses from widespread vascular disease but not specific to the carotids, or liver enzyme changes) and don’t specifically indicate carotid atherosclerosis.

Turbulent blood flow through a narrowed carotid artery from atherosclerosis produces sounds heard with a stethoscope, known as a carotid bruit. This auscultated sign over the carotid artery indicates carotid stenosis and flags an increased risk of TIAs or stroke, making it the classic clinical clue for carotid artery disease. Other signs mentioned reflect problems in other systems (lung crackles from fluid overload, generally decreased pulses from widespread vascular disease but not specific to the carotids, or liver enzyme changes) and don’t specifically indicate carotid atherosclerosis.