| Through our Vascular Laboratory, the trained staff uses noninvasive testing techniques,
usually ultrasound, to examine blood flow through the arteries
and veins of the body. There are no needles, dye or radiation used in the noninvasive
testing and therefore there are no side effects. Tests performed in our Vascular
Laboratory are relatively painless and are much more cost effective than invasive
ones. Testing can be divided into the following categories:
Cerebrovascular
Evaluates the carotid and vertebral arteries and veins in the
neck. These tests are done with an ultrasound
machine to search for blockages in the arteries of the neck and is appropriate for
people who have had symptoms of a stroke or TIA
and to follow-up on the results of surgery. This type of testing
has advanced to the point where, in many cases, surgery can
sometime be performed based on the test results and further invasive
testing can be avoided.
Peripheral Arterial
Evaluates the arteries of the arms, legs
and abdomen. These tests are done with either an ultrasound
machine or a Doppler Plethysmograph. These tests are used to evaluate patients
with symptoms of intermittent claudication (pain in the legs
while walking), rest pain, ischemic ulcers, gangrene, Raynaud's
Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome as well as post-operative
surgical follow-up of arm or leg bypass grafts and evaluation
of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Peripheral Venous
Evaluates the veins of the arms, legs and
abdomen. These tests are done with an ultrasound machine. These
tests are used to evaluate patients with symptoms of DVT (deep
venous thrombosis or blood clots) which include arm or leg pain
and swelling. Testing can also look for venous incompetence which
can cause chronic swelling and/or varicose veins. Superficial
blood clots can also be evaluated.
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