Carotid Intima-media thickness (CIMT)

​CIMT testing is a specialized type of ultrasound that is done on the carotid arteries (in your neck) to assess the lining of these arteries. Regular carotid ultrasounds evaluate the blood flow in the neck (which would be affected by larger blockages), but a CIMT test can measure the actual degree of inflammation and plaque that exists in the lining of the artery. It can also differentiate between soft plaque (the dangerous kind that can rupture and lead to a sudden heart attack or stroke), and hard plaque (calcified plaque that is more stable but when large enough can obstruct blood flow and cause serious complications). CIMT measurements can be done every 12 months to follow the course of disease, helping to verify improvements from prescribed medical interventions, or document that the disease is worsening and the patient warrants more aggressive treatment.