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Physical exam myths: listening for carotid artery bruits in stroke patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Joe Nemeth
Joe Nemeth*
Affiliation:
Division of Emergency Medicine, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montréal, Que.
*
Montreal Children’s Hospital, 1650 Cedar Ave., Montréal QC H3G 1A4; joe.nemeth@mcgill.ca

Abstract

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When a patient presents to the emergency department with a neurologic deficit and a cerebrovascular event is included in the differential diagnosis, the classic recommendation is to examine the carotid artery and assess for the presence of a bruit. The diagnostic yield and utility of this practice has seldom been called into question. This critical appraisal will review the practice of listening for a carotid artery bruit (CAB) in suspected stroke patients and analyze its clinical utility, including the sensitivity and specificity of a CAB for detecting a significant lesion and the potential impact a CAB may have on the investigation and disposition of such patients.

Keywords

carotid artery bruitstrokesignificanceutility
Type
Knowledge Applied to Practice Application des connaissances à la pratique
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 9 , Issue 5 , September 2007 , pp. 368 - 370
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2007

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