Ultrasound is a procedure that uses sound waves to “see” inside your body. An arterial duplex ultrasound uses sound waves to create a color map of the arteries in your legs to identify:
- Narrowing of your vessels that may be causing leg pain when walking
- Resting leg pain
- Foot, ankle, heel or toe ulcers
- Skin discoloration
Ultrasound duplex scanning can provide additional information that may guide therapeutic decisions. The location and severity of arterial narrowings and occlusions can be identified. The vascular technologist can map disease in lower-extremity segments with great accuracy.
The additional information from duplex scanning can help determine if arterial disease might be appropriately treated with an endovascular intervention. The type of treatment and the technical approach can be guided by the duplex scan findings. Information from the duplex scan can help patients be better informed about their options. Duplex scanning after intervention can provide objective information about the success of the procedure and serial follow-up examinations can identify recurrent problems at an early stage, sometimes prompting follow-up interventions.
A Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images that highlight blood flow in the leg arteries. This test detects and evaluates any blockages caused by plaque buildup.
An average of 1 in 20 people over the age of 50, or as many as 10 million Americans, suffer from peripheral arterial disease. This disease is caused by atherosclerosis, the hardening of arteries. The slow process of plaque buildup on the artery walls over time causes a narrowing of the vessel walls, decreasing the blood flow to the muscles in the legs. A simple Arterial Duplex Ultrasound will detect this plaque in its early stages and prevent further damage.
Peripheral vascular disease, if undetected, may lead to gangrene and ultimately amputation or death. The Upper or Lower Extremity Arterial Ultrasound is a noninvasive, simple 30-minute exam that can prevent this.
Indications for an Arterial Ultrasound
- Leg Pain
- Rest Pain
- Abdominal Aneurysm
- Pre/Post Surgery
- Diabetes
- Patient is a Smoker
- Non-Healing Ulcer
- Claudication
What Ultrasound Can Determine
- Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
- Popliteal Aneurysm
- Bakers Cyst
- Stenosis
- Arterial Blockage