Summa Health Vascular Imaging and Testing

Major diseases often go undetected because signs or symptoms are not obvious. While an estimated 80 percent of strokes are preventable, many times it can be too late by the times symptoms appear. Summa Health’s goal is to provide you with vital information about your cardiovascular condition so you and your physician have the power to get you on the road to better health.

Noninvasive vascular testing consists of imaging technologies such as ultrasound and Doppler imaging to diagnose circulation problems in the arms, legs, arteries of the neck and in the abdomen that indicate a blockage caused by plaque or a blood clot.

Some of our noninvasive diagnostic imaging and testing include:

• Pulse Volume Recording
  Pulse volume recording is a noninvasive test that measures blood flow within the blood vessels (arteries) in the legs or arms. If a PVR suggests that you have a blockage in one or more arteries, your physician may order additional tests to confirm a diagnosis and design an appropriate treatment plan. There are several types of PVR, including the ankle brachial index (ABI). A PVR also may be called a vascular study or Doppler segmental pressure study.
• Arterial Ultrasound
  An arterial ultrasound is a painless exam that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to capture internal images of the major arteries in the arms, legs and neck. Doctors use this test to see how blood moves through arteries. Doppler ultrasound imaging is an imaging test used to provide an anatomic view of the arteries and report on blood velocity and flow characteristics. Ultrasound imaging is sometimes combined with another imaging technique called Doppler, the two combined are called duplex ultrasound. These tests can also help identify areas of arterial blockage and help doctors decide which patients may need surgical interventions.
• Carotid Artery Duplex Vascular Ultrasound
  This test uses ultrasound to show how well blood is flowing through the arteries in the neck (carotid arteries). The carotid arteries supply blood to the brain. During this test, you will be asked to lie on your back. Your head will be supported to prevent it from moving during the test. The sonographer applies a water-soluble gel on your skin and gently runs a handheld device called a transducer over the area of the carotid arteries in your neck. The device sends high-frequency sound waves to the arteries in your neck. The sound waves bounce off the blood vessels and form images (pictures) of the insides of the arteries.
• Venous Ultrasound of the Arms or Legs
  This test uses ultrasound and manual pressure to examine the blood flow to the major veins in the arms and legs. A water-soluble gel is placed on the skin and a handheld device called a transducer, which directs high frequency sound waves to the veins being tested, is used to create images. These tests can identify areas of venous obstruction and help doctors decide which patients may need intervention.

To schedule an appointment with our vascular team, call for an appointment today.