Vascular Ultrasound

Vascular Ultrasound

Vascular ultrasound provides pictures of the body's veins and arteries.

A Doppler ultrasound study may be part of a vascular ultrasound examination.

Doppler ultrasound is a special ultrasound technique that evaluates blood velocity as it flows through a blood vessel, including the body's major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck.

Common uses of Vascular Ultrasound

• 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 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).
• Determine the source and severity of varicose veins.
• Doppler ultrasound images can help the physician to see and evaluate:
• Blockages to blood flow (such as clots).
• Narrowing of vessels (which may be caused by plaque).
• Tumors and congenital malformation.