A vascular ultrasound is a noninvasive approach to evaluating blood flow
in a patient’s veins and arteries. There are several types of vascular
ultrasound used to examine blood flow in various parts of the body, including
the neck, arms and legs.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Carotid Dopler
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Test
Peripheral Arterial Studies
PVR (Pulse Volume Recording)
ABI (Ankle-Brachial Index)
Lower Extremity Arterial Duplex (LEAD)
Renal Artery Doppler Ultrasound
Venous Insufficiency Study
Please call
855-724-3384 to schedule, change or reschedule an appointment.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
This test uses ultrasound waves to image the main artery that supplies
blood to and through your abdomen. You will lie on a table while a technologist
scans your abdomen with an ultrasound probe. Please follow this prep for
your AAA Screening.
This procedure lasts about 30-45 minutes.
Patient Prep Instructions:
Do not eat after midnight the morning of your exam. May take small sips
of water for morning medications.
No smoking or gum chewing.
Please be prepared to pay your copay and any outstanding balance at time
of check in. Bring your insurance card and medication list and obtain
a referral if your insurance requires it.
FREE Valet parking is now offered at the Heart and Vascular entrance Monday
– Friday, 7:30 AM – 5 PM, with the last car parked by 4 PM.
Carotid Doppler
This exam uses sound waves to take special images of the Carotid arteries
(arteries in the neck that supply blood flow to the brain). You will lie
on a table while images are taken. There is no pre-exam preparation for
this test, and it lasts approximately 1 hour.
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Test
This exam measures the thickness of the inner two layers of the carotid
artery (intima and media) to diagnose the extent of carotid atherosclerotic
vascular disease. A medical sonographer will apply a thick gel to the
neck, and a small machine will create sound waves that bounce off the
carotid arteries. These are then converted into electronic signals to
determine the "age" of the arteries.
There is no pre-exam preparation for this test.
Renal Artery Doppler Ultrasound
A renal artery exam uses sound waves to take special images and measurements
of the blood vessels in the abdomen, which supply flow to the kidneys.
You will simply be asked to lie on a table while your images are taken.
The exam will take
approximately 1 hour to complete.
Patient Prep Instructions:
Do not eat after midnight the morning of your exam. May take small sips
of water for morning medications.
No smoking or gum chewing.
Please be prepared to pay your copay and any outstanding balance at time
of check in. Bring your insurance card and medication list and obtain
a referral if your insurance requires it.
FREE Valet parking is now offered at the Heart and Vascular entrance Monday
– Friday, 7:30 AM – 5 PM, with the last car parked by 4 PM.
Venous Insufficiency Study
This test uses sound waves to determine the presence of leaks in the valves
of the veins of the affected leg(s) or arm(s). While you lie on a table,
a technologist will scan your leg(s) or arm(s) with an ultrasound probe.
They will press down with the ultrasound probe from time to time to determine
presence or absence of blood clots before they proceed to the insufficiency
portion of the exam. There is
no prep for this exam. This study typically last
approximately 1 hour per leg or arm.
Peripheral Arterial Studies
PVR (Pulse Volume Recording)
This is a non-invasive exam performed to evaluate the amount of blood flowing
into the arms or legs. You will be asked to lie on a table while a series
of blood pressure cuffs are applied to the limbs to obtain pressures and
tracings. This exam should take
approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete.
Prep Instructions:
Avoid wearing any type of tight-fitting attire (including girdles)
ABI (Ankle-Brachial Index)
Ankle-Brachial Index is a quick screening exam similar to the PVR. This
exam should take
approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Prep Instructions:
Avoid wearing any type of tight-fitting attire (including girdles)
Lower Extremity Arterial Duplex (LEAD)
The study is used to evaluate the arteries that supply blood flow to your
feet. While you lie on a table, a technologist will scan your legs with
an ultrasound probe.
There is no prep for this exam. The study typically lasts approximately
one hour per leg.
