Clearing out a blocked vein or artery is manageable with medication. However, detecting the affected blood vessels can be a problem. Therefore, for your doctor to identify and evaluate the affected vessel in your circulatory system causing you to have symptoms, he will opt for sonographic imaging. Your Brooksville vascular ultrasound specialist, Dr. Chadda, offers various ultrasound options as part of the facility’s comprehensive vascular services. The doctor and his team of professionals combine the standard and Doppler techniques to give you a full evaluation of your circulatory system to diagnose and recommend treatment options for your symptoms.
What is a vascular ultrasound?
Vascular ultrasound, or duplex study, is a versatile and non-invasive procedure your doctor will perform when he wants to examine the circulation in your body’s blood vessels. The process involves capturing real-time images that depict your organs’ structures and movements. Your doctor will use the high-frequency sound waves to:
- Determine your best treatment
- Monitor changes in your vascular diseases
- Diagnose your symptoms’ causes
- Guide a non-invasive procedure
How does vascular ultrasound work?
When you contact your doctor for a vascular ultrasound, he will use a computer console, a video display monitor and a transducer (a device that sends out sound waves) to analyze your tissues. The doctor will then apply some gel on your veins and arteries to examine before gently placing the transducer on your skin. The sound waves go painlessly into your skin, bouncing off your blood cells as they traverse through your blood vessels.
The waves then return to the transducer, where the ultrasound machine records and displays them on the screen. During the whole process, your doctor is trying to analyze how fast the waves bounce back to the transducer, allowing him to calculate your blood flow’s speed in the particular blood vessel. The quicker your waves bounce back, the narrower the blood vessel.
The procedure takes approximately 45 minutes, allowing your doctor to review your results and suggest treatment options.
Why do you need a vascular ultrasound?
Sonography is the most effective means of evaluating your body’s circulatory system. Your doctor will recommend a vascular ultrasound when he wants to:
- Monitor your blood flow to the various organs and tissues all over your body
- Check for an aneurysm
- Diagnose narrowing of arteries
- Evaluate you following a vascular procedure
- Determine your likelihood for a particular procedure like angioplasty
- Look out for blood clots in your legs or arms’ prominent veins
- Analyze varicose veins
When is a lower extremity ultrasound necessary?
Your doctor will perform a lower extremity venous ultrasound if he suspects a clot in your vein. He might also use the imaging to check out for chronic venous insufficiency or your leaking valves resulting in swelling.
Your doctor will also recommend a lower extremity arterial ultrasound if you have a peripheral arterial disease, particularly if you plan for an endovascular procedure. The doctor can also use the ultrasound after the procedure to check out for blockage signs.
Your veins and arteries are crucial in your everyday life, with the task of making sure blood reaches throughout your body. Dysfunction of blood vessels, veins, or arteries is dangerous and can result in life-threatening symptoms. To schedule an appointment with Advanced Heart & Vascular Associates, call or use the online scheduling tool on the facility’s website.