Abdominal Vessels Ultrasound
An Abdominal Vessels Ultrasound is an exam to look at the vessels within the abdomen by using sound waves. Here is what you will experience:
PREPARATION: Nothing to eat or drink eight hours prior to exam time. No chewing gum, smoking, or tobacco as well. If medications are needed you may take these with small sips of water.
PROCEDURE: You will lie on your back on the ultrasound stretcher for much of the exam. You may be asked to hold your breath for short periods of time. Warm acoustic gel is spread over the abdomen so that when the ultrasound probe is placed on your stomach, sound waves can be transmitted. The ultrasound probe is passed back and forth over the area of interest in order to take pictures of the vessels. You may here swishing sounds coming from the ultrasound machine; this is simply the sonographer listening to the blood flow of your vessels.
This exam will take approximately 60 minutes.
Carotid Ultrasound (VL Carotid Scan)
A carotid ultrasound, also known as a VL Carotid Scan, is a non-invasive test that is used to determine if a patient has blockage or narrowing in the arteries in the neck (carotid arteries). Here is what you will experience:
PREPARATION: Please wear a loosely collared shirt. Turtle-necks and high collared shirts are discouraged.
PROCEDURE: A small amount of transmission gel is placed on the side of the neck. An Ultrasound probe is gently run up and down the neck through the gel. During this time, the sonographer or technologist will take pictures of the arteries, listen to and measure blood flow in the arteries and record these for the interpreting physician. From these pictures and measurements, a physician can determine the level of blockage or narrowing.
The exam will take approximately 60 minutes.
Extremity Ultrasound
An ultrasound of the arm or leg is a non-invasive exam that uses sound waves to evaluate the arteries and/or veins. Here is what you will experience:
PREPARATION: None
PROCEDURE: To begin the exam, you will be asked to lie on the exam table with a sheet draped over you. If your examination is for your legs, you will be asked to remove your shoes, socks and pants.
Warm transmission gel is spread over the area of interest. An Ultrasound probe is passed over the gel. During this time, the sonographer or technologist will take pictures, listen to and measure blood flow velocity and record these for the interpreting physician. From these pictures and measurements, a physician can determine any abnormalities within the arteries and /or veins.
The exam will take approximately 60 minutes.
Pulse Volume Recordings (VL PVR)
Pulse Volume Recordings, also known as a VL PVR exam, is a non-invasive test that is designed to measure the volume of arterial blood flow (circulation) in the legs or arms. It is a blood pressure test. Here is what you will experience:
PREPARATION: Please bring comfortable clothing and shoes to your exam.
PROCEDURE: For the Legs: To begin the exam, you will be asked to remove your shoes, socks and pants and to lie on the exam table with a sheet draped over you. Blood pressure cuffs will be placed on your arms, thighs, calves, ankles and feet. These cuffs will be inflated twice. The first time the cuffs are inflated, they will measure the volume of blood that passes through the artery underneath the cuff. This volume is registered as a waveform on the PVR machine. The physician can determine if there is any blockage in the arteries above or at the level of the cuff by looking at the size and shape of the waveform.
The second time the cuffs are inflated, an actual blood pressure is taken. Pressures obtained by the cuffs on the legs are compared to the pressures obtained in the arms. This comparison is called the Ankle Brachial Index. The physician can determine the severity of decreased blood flow of the legs by this index.
The technologist may decide to exercise you by having you walk on the treadmill or stand on the floor and perform heel raises. Ankle waveforms and pressures are obtained immediately after exercise and compared to the ankle waveforms and pressures before exercise. This can also help the physician determine the severity of decreased blood flow in the legs.
PROCEDURE: For the Arms: To begin the exam you will be asked to remove your shirt and a short hospital gown will be given to you to put on. You will be asked to sit on the side of the exam table. Blood pressure cuffs will be placed on the upper arms, forearms and wrists. The first time the cuffs inflate with air, they will measure the volume of blood that passes through the arteries in your arms. The cuff will measure this volume as a waveform. The physician can determine by the size and shape of the waveform if there is any blockage in your arteries.
The second time the cuffs inflate, they will obtain an actual blood pressure. If you do have blockage in your arteries, the physician can determine the severity by your blood pressure in each cuff.
This exam will take approximately 60 minutes.
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