Vascular Ultrasound

A vascular ultrasound, also known as a doppler ultrasound, is a noninvasive imaging technique used to evaluate blood flow in real time and detect abnormalities in the blood vessels. It’s also used to monitor the effectiveness of treatments, such as arterial bypass surgery.

Conditions commonly diagnosed and managed with vascular ultrasound include:

• Aneurysms
• Arterial diseases that reduce blood flow throughout the body
• Carotid artery disease, which increases the risk of stroke
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which causes blood clots in deep veins of the legs or arms
• Raynaud’s disease, which affects blood flow in the fingers and toes
• Renal artery stenosis, which affects blood supply to the kidneys
• Varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency
• Vascular trauma, including injuries to blood vessels, tears or dissections

When you arrive for your vascular ultrasound, an imaging technologist will greet you and take you to the examination room. You may need to remove clothing or change into a gown.

During the ultrasound, you’ll lie on an examination table and the imaging technologist will apply a clear gel to the area of your body being examined. Next, the technologist will firmly press a handheld device called a transducer over the gel-covered area, moving it back and forth until the desired images are captured.

The procedure is noninvasive and painless, though you may experience slight discomfort from pressure as the technologist presses the transducer against your body.

Vascular procedures typically take between 30-90 minutes. Specialized or detailed studies, such as those examining varicose veins, may take 90-120 minutes. During your exam, you may be asked to change positions so the technologist can examine an area of the body from different angles.

• Follow instructions for your appointment. When you make your appointment, our care team will explain your particular procedure and provide detailed instructions.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Depending on the part of the body that is being examined, you may need to remove clothing and jewelry or you may be asked to wear a hospital gown during the procedure.
• Arrange child care and arrive early. For the safety of you and your children, please do not bring them to your appointment. If you are unable to arrange child care, please reschedule your appointment. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to fill out paperwork.

A radiologist, a physician who specializes in interpreting medical imaging, will analyze the results and send a report to your health care provider. You can also view your results in MyChart once they are available.

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