Peripheral Vascular Ultrasound
Peripheral vascular disease is the term for hardening of the arteries in areas other than the
heart. This area of cardiovascular diseases has received much greater attention
in recent years due to the aging of the general population. This topic includes the arteries in the neck carrying blood to the brain (the
carotid arteries), arteries in the abdomen carrying blood to the GI tract and
kidneys, the main artery in the abdomen known as the aorta and the arteries
carrying blood flow to the legs. Obstruction of blood flow in each of these
arteries results in unique symptoms and potential problems for that particular area.
In the past, evaluation of these areas was limited to physical examinations and
special invasive x-ray studies of these arteries using x-ray dye known as
angiograms. Although quite accurate, it would be inappropriate and costly to
perform angiograms on everyone. Newer technologies including CT scanning and MRI
scanning can also visualize these areas but again are costly and involve
radiation exposure (in the case of CT scanning).
The ankle-brachial index is a very easy and safe screening test to look for
peripheral vascular disease. It is simply the ratio of the blood pressure in the
legs relative to the blood pressure in the arms. More sophisticated is the
peripheral pulsed volume recording (see picture to left) which tests this ratio and measures Doppler
arterial waveforms at multiple levels in the upper or lower extremities (click
here for sample report). This test
may require minimal exercise in selected cases.
Ultrasound technology provides simple, safe and accurate definition of these
arteries in most individuals to determine whether or not an angiogram is
warranted. These studies are performed in an office setting in about 45-60
minutes and provide your physician with accurate definition of peripheral artery
anatomy and blood flow characteristics. No special preparation is required and
the results are made available to you and your physician by the next business
day.
|