Carotid Ultrasound is the most accurate test available for screening patients for carotid artery disease. Atherosclerotic plaque (hardening of the arteries) contained in the carotid artery in the neck can break up into many particles. The force of blood then sends these particles of plaque up to the brain. These particles lodge in smaller vessels within the brain, shutting off blood flow to the brain tissue. This is thought to be a major cause of stroke. Information obtained from this study can then be used to determine which patients should or should not undergo carotid endarterectomy or carotid stenting, a proven stroke prevention surgery.

Venous Duplex is a highly accurate ultrasound test that directly images the inside of veins. This examination is ordered when a physician suspects that a patient may have a blood clot in a vein–usually in the arms or legs. It is painless and can be completed in less than one hour. Venous reflux studies can determine if there is an abnormal flow of blood or damage to valves in patient’s veins. If damage is found, then treatment with Endovenous Laser Therapy or Sclerotherapy can be performed.

Lower Extremity Doppler examination uses a different variety of ultrasound and ultrasound equipment to assess the amount of circulation in the arms or legs. This examination is used to evaluate whether or not there are blockages within the arteries of the arms or legs. This examination can then determine how much of the circulation is affected by the blockages, giving the physician the information needed to help decide which patients might require some type of procedure to restore adequate blood flow.

Upper Extremity Doppler examination is exactly the same examination as the lower extremity study with the exception that the arms, hands, and fingers are studied, rather than the legs. This examination again is used to determine the amount of circulation in each extremity. This examination is performed with high quality Doppler ultrasound equipment and specialized blood pressure cuffs that together accurately measure the blood pressure all the way to the fingertips.

PVR examination is a test to measure the flow of blood in the arms or legs and gives your doctor physiologic information to determine the extent of vascular disease. The test is performed with blood pressure cuffs on the arms or legs.

Renal Artery Ultrasound is used to determine if any significant narrowings are present in the arteries going to the kidneys. Most commonly, these tests are ordered by physicians, in those patients with severe high blood pressure, or those who appear to be losing kidney function.

No food or drink can be taken for at least eight hours before the test. This ensures that the ultrasound beam will not be interfered with by swallowed air or food. If blockages are found, then we will work with your kidney and medical doctor to plan the best possible treatment.

Bypass Graft Surveillance is another type of ultrasound examination done to determine if lower extremity bypass grafts are working properly. If narrowings are found, the bypass grafts can be repaired before the bypass closes.

Dialysis Graft Surveillance obtains detailed images of dialysis access grafts in the arms of patients receiving dialysis treatments. The ultrasound test can determine which of these devices have developed thick scar tissue that can block the flow of blood in the device and thereby hamper the dialysis process.

Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound uses ultrasound to measure the size of the aorta or an aortic aneurysm. The images obtained allow the physician to decide which aneurysms must be repaired as well as those that can be safely watched without surgery.