High Deductible? No Health Insurance? No Problem!
We Have Reduced Rates For Uninsured Patients!
What is Vascular Ultrasound?
Need a Vascular Ultrasound? We at Life Imaging can perform your vascular ultrasound or sonogram in Dade or Broward County, Florida at a reduced fee. Please Call (954) 436-6622.
A vascular ultrasound examination or Doppler ultrasound is a special ultrasound technique that evaluates blood flow in the body. It allows the doctor to see and evaluate blood flow through arteries and veins in the body.
What are some common uses of the procedure?
Sonography is a useful way of evaluating the body's circulatory system. Vascular ultrasound is performed to:
- help monitor the 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 (DVT) in the major veins of the legs or arms.
- determine whether a patient is a good candidate for a procedure such as angioplasty.
- evaluate the success of procedures that graft or bypass blood vessels.
- determine if there is an enlarged artery (aneurysm).
- evaluate varicose veins.
In children, ultrasound is used to:
- aid in the placement of a needle or catheter into a vein or artery to help avoid complications such as bleeding, nerve injury or pseudo-aneurysm (abnormal outpouching of an artery with the risk of rupture).
- evaluate a connection between an artery and a vein which can be seen in congenital vascular malformations (arteriovenous malformations or fistula) and in dialysis fistula.
If a line is placed in an artery or vein of the legs or arms, there is a much higher chance of developing a clot around it due to the smaller vessel size (especially in infants and young children). In some instances, a clot can form in the arm or in the left leg with the latter extending into the major vein of the abdomen. Plaque formation is not frequently seen in children but there can be compression at the inlet of the chest.
Doppler ultrasound images can help the physician to see and evaluate:
- blockages to blood flow (such as clots)
- narrowing of vessels
- tumors and congenital vascular malformations
- reduced or absent blood flow to various organs, such as the testes or ovary
- increased blood flow, which may be a sign of infection
What happens during the exam?
The patient lies on a table with the arms or legs covered with a drape or blanket. The sonographer (technologist who performs the exam) will put a warm water-based gel on the skin surface. The gel helps to transmit the sound waves by excluding air. An instrument called a transducer, which is about the size of a microphone, will be moved over the skin surface by the sonographer.
How do I prepare for this test?
No preparation is needed.
How long will it take?
About thirty minutes.
Will it hurt?
No.
How will I learn the results?
You may call your doctor to discuss the results.
Arterial Ultrasound
Ultrasound Info for patients