Question: How precisely does a carotid artery ultrasound or sonogram measure the flow of blood passing though the artery, and if a transplant will be needed?

Does this testing show if the artery is damaged so badly that a replacement artery will be, or could be required? Thank You Dr.

So if the doppler shows over 50% blockage, a cat scan would be done and it would show if the plaque had damaged the artery badly enough that a replacement would be neccesary?

Dr XXXXXXX I apologize for my ignorance, just one more question should suffice for me, can radiation treatments in the carotid area cause the plaque build up enough to cause damage to the artery to the point that the cleaning out process you mentioned would not be an option? I thank you tremendously and give you a 5 star rating on your answers, Thanks!

Dr XXXXXXX I had mini-strokes and primary care doctor did some type of sonogram and then a vascular surgeon went in while I was conscious to clean the artery but put in an artificial artery instead, said the artery was to badly damaged, the plaque buildup was caused by high cholesterol and trigyliceride levels for multiple years and previous radiation a couple decades earlier. But I was never told about or treated for the high bloodwork results, multiple doctors and my former Oncologist new about the high bloodwork results but ignored them. The artery became infected and I had a transplant from my leg put in its place and my large chest muscle was put over it. I had to have Hyperbolic Oxygen treatments for it to heal. I am trying to determine why the vascular surgeon did not prepare for the possible need for the transplant from the start. The Primary care doctor I have now is a smart, caring physician and as soon as he got my bloodwork back put me on meds for the high cholesterol and triglycerides but I at least two doctors prior didn't tell me about the high results or that there was a problem I could treat with meds and diet, thats another story. I have many problems but I have reason to be suspicious of the health care providers I have received treatment from in the past, it is way to complicated to get into here but I have been trying to keep my questions very precise to avoid getting you and others involved in any other way than just general medical questions.

Yes of course, Dr Nissen in Ohio is trying to develop a drug to remove plaque buildup, I do not know the state of his work. I beleive the plaque would not have built up so badly had I been treated for the high Cholesterol and Triglycerides, at one point my Triglycerides were 575 mg/dl and were well over 200 for years, yet my physician's failed to mention it. Thank You for your help. No more questions, sorry to take up our time.