OSA Diagnosis -> Ultrasound Vascular Screening?

[roster]

I believe most of us had OSA for years before we were diagnosed and started xpap therapy. Should everyone with an OSA diagnosis have an ultrasound vascular screening? http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ASE/dh/5963.

There is a mobile unit that stops at a local church about twice per year. The advertised cost, if I remember correctly, is US $129. Any experience or knowledge of this?

Thanks.

[Julie]

I think the problem is that the tests are expensive (not to mention time consuming for staff and equipment. They are usually used in hospitals to test for plaques in the carotids if an imminent stroke is suspected ("Doppler Study"), or in the legs if arteries are so narrowed that pain makes it hard to walk (arteriogram), but the number of patients in those categories, compared to the whole population, is tiny, and unless someone else funds mobile units like your church had, I don't see it becoming commonplace any time soon.

[Snoredog]

I've had several done, once on my legs looking for clots, another echocardiogram and another in a carotid artery scan. A non-invasive way to check for clogged artery or atherosclerosis.

The gold standard remains the invasive angiography especially with the smaller arteries like found in the heart and brain, but it carries its own extra risk and side effects, I've even had one of those done. For the brain, they mainly use MRI/MRA scans which is non-invasive.

[Rabid1]

The procedure used to cost over $500, so $129 is not a bad price. It gives your doctor more info. Mine adjusted my Lipitor after getting my results.

[roster]

More information on the mobile units:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... _n13675086

http://www.lifelinescreening.com/faq_general.asp

Would appreciate comments on Life Line Screening.

From what I read on cpaptalk.com, they should add OSA screening to their mobile services.