Non-Invasive Vascular Lab

Carotid artery disease is one of the most common causes of stroke. Identifying the disease early is important for early intervention. A carotid artery exam includes measuring blood pressure in both arms as well as scanning the carotid arteries, vertebral arteries, and subclavian arteries. A carotid artery study is requested to evaluate symptoms such as:

• One-sided loss of strength or sensation
• Difficulty speaking
• Transient loss of vision in one eye
• A bruit in the neck (a sound heard with a stethoscope)

A complete study usually takes about 30 minutes.

The renal arteries provide blood flow to the kidneys. Renal artery disease can result in reduced blood flow to the kidney, which if left untreated can cause hypertension and/or kidney failure. Symptoms of renal artery disease may include:

• Hypertension
• Fluid retention
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue

Renal artery duplex scanning detects renal artery disease. The exam does not require injecting contrast material into the kidneys, which eliminates the risk of kidney damage. There are some preparations necessary for this exam. Avoid the following substances for at least 7 hours prior to your exam:

• Food and beverages
• Tobacco
• Caffeine

A complete study usually takes 1 – 2 hours.

Thrombosis, or clot formation, in the deep veins of the lower limbs can lead to discomfort and swelling. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common vascular disorder that occurs in over 900,000 cases in the U.S. each year, and can cause a fatal pulmonary embolism if the blood-clot breaks loose and lodges itself in the lung. This test uses ultrasound imaging to evaluate symptoms including:

• Leg pain
• Swelling
• Varicose veins
• Shortness of breath
• Suspected blood clots

There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of DVT including:

• Prior history of DVT or other clotting disorders
• Trauma
• Recent major surgery
• Medical problems
• Cancer
• Blood diseases
• Immobilization
• Obesity

A complete study usually takes about 30 minutes.

Venous insufficiency, which affects approximately 40% of the US population, occurs when veins can no longer adequately pump blood to the heart, which may result in varicose veins. If left untreated, chronic venous insufficiency can cause symptoms such as leg pain, swelling, skin changes, and ulcers. A venous duplex determines valve function by assessing the direction of blood flow in the veins. It can also determine which vein segments are abnormal or obstructed. A complete study may include both lower extremities, and usually takes about 1 hour.

This study uses ultrasound imaging to create a “map” of your leg veins in preparation for various procedures. The test can detect healthy vein segments that may be used for grafts during lower extremity arterial bypass surgery or coronary artery bypass surgery. Your doctor may recommend this study if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Varicose veins
• Leg pain or swelling
• Leg cramps
• Changes in skin color

A complete study usually takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

This test uses ultrasound duplex scanning to detect peripheral artery disease (PAD) and identify problems such as narrow or blocked arteries. Duplex scanning can determine the appropriate treatment plan for arterial disease, prompting follow-up intervention. You doctor may recommend this study if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Muscle cramps in lower extremities
• Leg pain
• Non-healing foot wounds
• Gangrene
• Decreased temperature in lower extremities

There are some preparations necessary for this exam. Avoid the following substances for at least 7 hours prior to your exam:

• Food and beverages
• Tobacco
• Caffeine

A complete study usually takes about 2 hours.

A pseudoaneurysm, also called a false aneurysm, occurs when blood leaks from an artery into the surrounding tissue. Ultrasound imaging is used to detect and treat a pseudoanuerysm. Treatment involves injecting thrombin (a clot promoting agent) into the pseudoaneurysm to stop the leakage. Symptoms of pseudoaneurysm include:

• Leg pain or swelling
• Extensive bruising

A complete study usually takes about 30 minutes.

A lower extremity arterial physiologic study determines whether peripheral artery disease (PAD) is present, what vessels are affected, and how severely blood flow is impaired. This test uses ultrasound imaging to evaluate blood flow in the arms and legs according to pressure measurements and pulse volume recordings (PVRs). Lower extremity testing also includes the ankle/brachial index (ABI) test, which measures the severity of PAD by reporting the ratio of ankle pressure to arm pressure. Symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD) include:

• Muscle pain or aching
• Fatigue with walking
• Critical limb ischemia
• Chronic pain
• Non-healing wounds
• Gangrene

A complete study usually takes about 1 hour.

An aneurysm is an enlarged segment of an artery. If left untreated, this artery can rupture. Ruptured aortic aneurysm contributes to over 17,000 deaths every year. The most important risk factors associated with the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) include:

• 60+ years old
• Prior history of AAA
• Cigarette smoking
• Hypertension

Your doctor may recommend this study if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Pulsating feeling near the abdomen
• Chronic pain in or near the abdomen
• Back pain

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) may not be detected on routine examinations, but ultrasound imaging provides a safe way to detect the presence of an aneurysm. This exam can also assess blood flow, and detect blockages or plaque buildup in the arteries. There are some preparations necessary for this exam. Avoid the following substances for at least 7 hours prior to your exam:

• Food and beverages
• Tobacco
• Caffeine

A complete study usually takes about 1 hour.

The aorta is the main source of blood throughout the body, therefore it’s important to detect any problems at an early stage to determine the best follow-up intervention. Your doctor may recommend this study if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Pulsating feeling near the abdomen
• Chronic pain in or near the abdomen
• Back pain

This study examines the arteries in the abdomen and pelvis, as well as the aortic and iliac arteries. The duplex scan can determine the size of the aneurysm, the absence or presence of a blood leak, and assess blood flow through the endograft. There are some preparations necessary for this exam. Avoid the following substances for at least 7 hours prior to your exam:

• Food and beverages
• Tobacco
• Caffeine

A complete study usually takes 30 – 45 minutes.

A peripheral stent is a small, mesh tube that is used to open blocked peripheral arteries (most commonly known as peripheral artery disease, or PAD). Plaque buildup is a contributing factor both to PAD as well as coronary heart disease (CHD). Your doctor may recommend this study if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Chronic chest or leg pain
• Arrhythmia
• Fatigue with walking
• Critical limb ischemia

This study uses ultrasound imaging to determine if there is adequate blood flow through the stents and arteries as blocked arteries or plaque buildup can result in heart attack or ischemia. A complete study usually takes 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Hemodialysis, or the process of artificially cleansing the blood, is most commonly used to treat kidney failure. It requires a vascular access site to easily access the bloodstream as treatment occurs multiple times a week. Fistulas and grafts are the most common form of vascular access used. Your doctor may recommend this exam if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue or weakness
• Changes in urination
• Muscle cramps
• Foot swelling

This test uses ultrasound imaging to directly visualize the hemodialysis fistula or graft to ensure proper blood flow. This test can detect potential fistula or graft failure, which can prevent patients from receiving their hemodialysis treatment. These patients generally require long-term observation to assess any post procedural complications. A complete study usually takes 20 – 30 minutes.