Aesthetic Medicine Today
Vascular Ultrasound: General

What is ultrasonography?
In ultrasonography (ultrasound), high-frequency sound waves, inaudible to the
human ear, are transmitted through body tissues. The echoes are recorded and
transformed into video or photographic images.

Ultrasound images help in the diagnosis of a wide range of diseases and conditions.
The idea for ultrasonography came from sonar technology, which makes use of sound
waves to detect underwater objects.

Ultrasound is used to create images of soft tissue structures and can also be used to
detect blockages in the blood vessels. Ultrasound may be used with other diagnostic
procedures or by itself.

What is a vascular ultrasound?
Vascular ultrasound is a non-invasive ultrasound method (also called a duplex study)
used to examine the blood circulation in the arms and legs. Non-invasive means the
procedure does not require the use of needles, dyes, radiation or anesthesia.

During a vascular ultrasound, sound waves are transmitted through the tissues of
the area being examined. These sound waves reflect off blood cells moving within the
blood vessels, allowing the reading physician to calculate their speed. The sound
waves are recorded and displayed on a computer screen.

Why do I need this test?
Your physician has recommended that you have this test to evaluate the blood flow
to specific organs in your body. Vascular ultrasound is used to evaluate:
•        The blood flow in the arteries in your neck that supply blood to the brain
•        Blood flow in the arteries to detect the presence, severity and specific location
of a narrowed area of the arteries causing leg pain or kidney problems, including high
blood pressure
•        Blood flow in the veins to detect the presence, severity and specific location of
a narrowed area of the veins causing leg pain or swelling, including blood clots

How is vascular disease diagnosed?
Your primary care physician can provide a referral to the Acute Response Testing
Center for a testing to determine the cause of your syncope.

How long is the test?
The ultrasound takes about 30 to 90 minutes to complete. Please plan to arrive
about 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete the registration
process.

Before the test
Please do not bring valuables such as jewelry and credit cards.
•        If veins in your arms or legs, or your carotid artery are to be examined during
the vascular ultrasound, there is no special preparation.
•        You may take your usual medications.
•        There are no special dietary guidelines; you may eat and drink as you normally
would.
•        You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and remove all jewelry.

During the test
•        Your ultrasound test is performed by specially trained technologists and
interpreted by a vascular medicine physician.
•        You will lie on a padded examining table during the test.
•        A small amount of water-soluble gel is applied to the skin over the area to be
examined. The gel does not harm your skin or stain your clothes.
•        A small device called a transducer is placed over the gel-coated area to be
examined. The transducer produces images on the ultrasound screen. The transducer
is held in place until the blood flow information has been recorded.
•        There is virtually no discomfort during the test. You may hear noises when the
technologist listens to the blood flow and records measurements.

After the test
The gel will be wiped off your skin. There are no special instructions to follow after
the test. You may go home or to your other scheduled appointments after the
vascular ultrasound.

Are there any risks or side effects?
There are no harmful side effects of this test. In addition, ultrasound does not use
radiation, as X-ray tests do.

How will I receive the results of the test?
After a vascular medicine physician reviews the test results, a final report will be
generated. Your physician will discuss the test results with you.