Preoperative cervical carotid artery contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings are associated with development of microembolic signals on transcranial Doppler during carotid exposure in endarterectomy

•Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography can predict development of microembolic signals during carotid artery exposure in CEA.•Sensitivity and specificity for the enhancement degree in predicting the development of microembolic signals were 90% and 76%, respectively.•The enhancement degree was an only significant predictor on the development of microembolic signals.