Vascular Testing
Atherosclerosis can develop throughout the blood vessel throughout the body including the leg arteries. Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) can cause claudication, which is leg pain with exertion.
Endovascular intervention with atherectomy (cutting and removing the fatty blockage), angioplasty and possible stenting are possible treatment methods. Similar treatment options can be done in the renal (kidney) arteries to treat high blood pressure, carotid arteries to treat carotid artery stenosis.
Noninvasive Vascular Services
Carotid Ultrasound
A carotid duplex ultrasound is an imaging procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the blood vessels in the neck and evaluate the degree of narrowing in the carotid arteries.
Abdominal Ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound uses sound waves to determine the size of the abdominal aorta. An abdominal ultrasound is also used to evaluate for aortic aneurysm and size of the upper leg arteries.
Renal Ultrasound
Renal ultrasound uses sound waves to evaluate flow in the arteries leading to the kidneys. At times to evaluate the cause of uncontrolled hypertension, your physician may order this study to evaluate blockages in the renal arteries.
Venous Duplex
Venous duplex ultrasound is a procedure that visualizes the veins in the legs to evaluate for blood clots. A venous duplex is also used to evaluate leg swelling (edema) and varicose veins.
PVR (Pulse Volume Recording)
PVR testing is a series of blood pressure cuffs positioned on both legs to help measure the blood flow in the leg arteries. It can be a useful screening tool to evaluate for peripheral arterial disease (PAD).