Vascular Ultrasound Screening

Our Vascular Ultrasound Department allows our patients the convenience of having their diagnostic tests performed in the comfort of our office in the presence of our Vascular Specialist. Most of the time our patients are able to get their vascular ultrasound testing done on the same day as their doctor appointment. Walk-in studies are welcome.

The Vascular ultrasound department is composed of individuals who meet the highest quality national standards for ultrasound performance and interpretation. This includes our RPVI (Registered Physician In Vascular Interpretation) certified physician and RVT (Registered Vascular Technologists) certified technician. Our ultrasound lab staff obtain and maintain their credentials through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

A vascular ultrasound, also known as a sonogram, echo, or duplex study, is a safe, painless and cost-effective method of screening and following blood vessel / cardiovascular diseases. Ultrasound used sound waves to produce images, therefore no radiation is involved.

The most common studies that we perform in our lab are:

• Venous / Vein duplex ultrasound to evaluate for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or to assess acute or chronic leg swelling

• Venous / Vein duplex ultrasound to evaluate for venous insufficiency / venous reflux in patients with varicose veins, spider veins, or venous stasis ulcers

• Carotid artery duplex to evaluate carotid artery disease / carotid artery stenosis.

• Abdominal Aortic / Aorta duplex ultrasound to screen for or to follow Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA).

• Renal Artery Duplex ultrasound to evaluate for renal artery stenosis or renal vascular hypertension.

• Lower extremity / Leg arterial duplex study to evaluate peripheral artery disease (PAD), claudication, leg pain, leg or ankle wounds or ulcers, gangrene, or leg aneurysms. These studies are also useful to evaluate for poor circulation in those with diabetes, heart disease, or smoking history.

• Lower extremity / leg segmental pressure studies, including exercise stress tests.

• Arterial duplex ultrasound for follow-up of artery bypass grafts

• Vascular duplex ultrasound studies of dialysis access sites, such as arteriovenous fistulas (AV fistulas) or AV grafts.

• Vein mapping to evaluate veins prior to surgery.

Technician performing Carotid Artery Ultrasound

This procedure is the most common way to screen for hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) of the carotid arteries.  The carotid arteries provide the majority of blood flow to the brain.  Artery blockages in the carotid arteries can lead to a TIA (mini stroke) or a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), which is a major stroke.  By getting a carotid ultrasound screen, a patient can be diagnosed and treated before a stroke occurs.

Patient Undergoing Circulation Screening

This procedure is known as a segmental pressure test. Multiple blood pressure cuffs are connected to the extremity being examined and then a computer determines the amount of blood flow traveling through the areas. This is a common way to diagnose peripheral artery disease (PAD), commonly known as poor blood vessel circulation.