Use of Carotid Ultrasound to Identify Subclinical Vascular Disease and Evaluate Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Consensus Statement from the American Society of Echocardiography Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Task Force Endorsed by the Society for Vascular Medicine

Continuing Medical Education Course for “Use of Carotid Ultrasound to Identify Subclinical Vascular Disease and Evaluate Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Consensus Statement for the American Society of Echocardiography Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Task Force”Accreditation StatementThe American Society of Echocardiography is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The American Society of Echocardiography designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.ARDMS and CCI recognize ASE’s certificates and have agreed to honor the credit hours toward their registry requirements for sonographers.The American Society of Echocardiography is committed to resolving all conflict of interest issues, and its mandate is to retain only those speakers with financial interests that can be reconciled with the goals and educational integrity of the educational program. Disclosure of faculty and commercial support sponsor relationships, if any, have been indicated.Target Audience1. Physicians, physicians’ assistants, and nurses with an interest in cardiac and vascular imaging, preventive cardiology, and cardiovascular disease risk assessment. 2. Ultrasonographers with interest in vascular imaging and cardiovascular disease risk assessment.ObjectivesUpon completing this activity, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the rationale for using carotid ultrasound to identify subclinical vascular disease and to evaluate cardiovascular disease risk. 2. Explain the application of carotid ultrasound to cardiovascular disease risk assessment. 3. Describe the scanning technique for identifying subclinical vascular disease using carotid ultrasound. 4. Explain the key components of interpreting carotid ultrasound studies for cardiovascular disease risk assessment.Authors DisclosuresJames H. Stein, MD, FASE:Research grants: Siemens Medical Solutions, SonositeIntellectual property: listed as the inventor of Patent #US 6,730,0235 “Ultrasonic Apparatus and Method for Providing Quantitative Indication of Risk of Coronary Heart Disease.” It has been assigned to the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.Emile R. Mohler III, MD:Speakers bureau for Merck, BMS-Sanofi and AstraZeneca; Research grant support from BMS-Sanofi, Pfizer and GSK.Christopher M. Rembold, MD:Advisory Board for Sonosite.Estimated Time to Complete This Activity: 1 hour