Diagnostic accuracy of peripheral ultrasound in familial hypercholesterolemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

What was studied

This review tested if carotid and femoral ultrasound can find early heart artery disease. It was done in adults with familial hypercholesterolemia and no known artery disease. The scans were compared with cardiac computed tomography. The search was updated on 14 August 2026. The team also pooled how common plaques were.

What they found

The review pooled plaque rates for carotid ultrasound and femoral ultrasound. It also pooled a composite measure of coronary artery disease. Peripheral ultrasound showed high sensitivity but low specificity. Only some studies could be pooled. The evidence was small and of very low quality.

What it means for patients

The authors say these ultrasound scans should not replace cardiac computed tomography. They say the scans might serve as a triage test for risk grouping. They call for more studies to define a test-and-treat plan for this group.

Why it is not certain yet

The evidence was a small amount of very low quality. Only some studies were pooled. Specificity was low, and the range around it was wide. The range for sensitivity was also wide.

Source

Diagnostic accuracy of peripheral ultrasound in familial hypercholesterolemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

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