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New, mini ultrasounds can spot danger early

The machines offer a noninvasive, quick look for clogged arteries and heart disease.

MADISON, Wis. - What if your doctor could swipe a wand over your neck and reveal whether you have hidden heart disease?

Miniature ultrasound machines are starting to make their way into ordinary doctors' offices, where they may someday be as common as stethoscopes. A pocket-sized one weighing less than 2 pounds hit the market last week.

Some of these devices can make images of neck arteries, which offer a "window" to heart arteries that cannot easily be seen. If the neck vessels are clogged, doctors know that those around the heart probably are, too, and that treatment or more testing is needed.

The new ultrasound machines offer a relatively cheap, painless way to screen people with no symptoms of heart problems for signs of hidden trouble.

Is that a good thing?

Many doctors say yes, because for one-third of heart disease sufferers, the first symptom is dropping dead of a heart attack. Finding these people early and treating them could save lives.

But there are potential downsides to more people doing this testing without extensive training. Suddenly, small-town family doctors could see scary-looking artery buildups and rush to treat some that might never be life-threatening.

And while patients who see the pictures may be motivated to quit smoking, lose weight or go on cholesterol drugs, some might suffer side effects from unnecessary treatment.

On balance, many doctors see more promise than peril.

"It's equivalent to a mammogram of the heart," said Dr. Christopher Rembold, a cardiologist at the University of Virginia. If doctors see something suspicious, they can refer patients to specialists for more extensive tests.

[Last modified October 8, 2007, 00:29:49]