Carotid IMT

Patients considered to be at high risk for developing heart disease are candidates for a CIMT screening. The risk factors for heart disease include:

• age - men 40 or older, women 45 or older
• high cholesterol
• history of smoking
• high blood pressure
• family history of heart disease
• high stress levels
• sedentary lifestyle
• diabetes

If one or more of these factors apply to you, we encourage you to talk with your doctor about considering this procedure. Patients who have had previous cardiovascular treatment or surgery, including coronary stinting, coronary bypass surgery, pacemaker placement, or valve replacement are not candidates for this screening.

The scan itself only takes 15 minutes. It is painless and does not involve any injections, medications or radiation. You will lie on the examination table fully dressed. The technologist will place warm ultrasound gel on each side of your neck, where three or four images will be taken on each side. Once the scan is complete, one of our subspecialized radiologists will interpret the images and send your doctor a report. From there, your doctor can recommend an appropriate treatment plan, which may include diet and lifestyle changes, medication and/or further testing.

Please arrive 30 minutes before your exam if you are being scanned at a hospital location. If your appointment is at an outpatient center, please arrive 10 minutes before your exam.

One of our subspecialized physicians will review your scan and send a report to your physician. Your physician will contact you to discuss the results.

Carolinas Imaging Services – Ballantyne
Carolinas Imaging Services – Huntersville
Carolinas Imaging Services – Matthews
Carolinas Imaging Services – Rock Hill
Carolinas Imaging Services – SouthPark

This procedure requires a physician referral. Typically your referring physician will schedule an appointment for you. If you have been asked to schedule the appointment yourself, please have your physician's order and any pre-authorization information required by your insurance or health plan provider in hand, and call 704-442-4390.

Since CIMT is considered a screening test for asymptomatic patients, many insurance companies do not reimburse for its cost. If you have insurance with CIGNA or MedCost, it may be covered with a doctor's referral and prior authorization. For questions regarding insurance coverage, and/or billing please call 704-362-7020.

Payment is expected at the time of service when insurance providers do not provide coverage.