Vascular Ultrasound 

Vascular ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Since ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.

Ultrasound imaging is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions and provide pictures of the body's veins and arteries. A Doppler ultrasound - a special ultrasound technique that evaluates blood velocity as it flows through a blood vessel, including the body's major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck - may be part of a vascular ultrasound examination.

Vascular ultrasound is a useful way of evaluating the body's circulatory system and is usually performed to help monitor blood flow to organs and tissues throughout the body; locate and identify blockages (stenosis) and abnormalities like plaque or emboli and help plan for their effective treatment; detect blood clots - deep venous thrombosis or DVT - in the legs or arms; evaluate success of past procedures including grafts or bypasses; determine if a patient is a candidate for certain procedures such as angioplasty; determine the presence of any aneurysms; and determine the source and severity of varicose veins. USA's vascular surgeons will use Doppler images to evaluate blockages to blood flow, check for narrowing in vessels and any congenital malformations or tumors.

Ultrasound scanners consist of a console containing a computer and electronics, a video display screen and a transducer that is used to scan the body and blood vessels. The transducer is a small, hand-held device attached to the scanner. The transducer sends out high frequency sound waves into the body, then listens for the returning echoes from the tissues. The ultrasound image is immediately visible on a nearby computer monitor. The image is created based on the amplitude (strength), frequency and time it takes for the sound signal to return from the patient to the transducer.

For most ultrasound exams, the patient is positioned lying face-up on an examination table. A clear, water-based gel is applied to the area of the body being studied to help the transducer make secure contact with the body and eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. A USA registered vascular technician will place the transducer firmly against the skin and sweep it over the area of interest. The ultrasound examination is usually completed within 30 minutes.

Vascular studies conducted at VDS are interpreted by USA's vascular surgeons, all of whom have been working in the field of vascular surgery and vascular ultrasound for several years. If there is an exam that is abnormal, they will advise the patient about getting with his/her primary care physician to get more complete studies ordered.