Vascular ultrasound gives a comprehensive overview of the condition of blood flow in the human body. There are several variety of vascular ultrasounds. We will discuss this today to help you understand which one you need during the crucial hour. Though the tests are solely recommended by your physician, nevertheless you can get an idea why these tests are necessary. So let’s take a look.
- Carotid ultrasound – This test helps the doctors to look for any blockage in the carotid artery. These arteries are the main vessels that are providing nutrition to your brain.
- Abdominal arotic ultrasound – This test helps the doctors to look at the patient’s abdominal aorta and thereby analyze any narrowing, aneurysms, or any substantial cholesterol plaque.
- Peripheral arterial ultrasound – This test helps the doctors to assess blood flow to the arms and legs’ arteries.
- Ankle brachial index – ABI test compares as well as measures the blood pressure in the arm and leg to assess the presence of any peripheral arterial problems.
- Venous ultrasound or dopplers – This test is accomplished in order to assess any venous clot, like DVT or deep venous thromboses.
For a vascular ultrasound test, the patient need not carry anything to the lab.
Vascular ultrasound may be used in order to evaluate veins and arteries in about any part of your body including arms, legs, abdomen, and neck. Non invasive procedure of the test ensures that it doesn’t require any anaesthesia or needle penetration. Unlike many other imaging tests, vascular ultrasound needs no contrast dye or radiation.
During the test, sound waves are gradually transmitted through the examining area. These waves reflect any moving blood cells inside the blood vessels and return the same to the ultrasound machine. The waves are recorded and finally displayed on the digital screen to portray an image of the blood vessel.
The speedy sound waves that return to the ultrasound machine provide scope for calculating the speed of blood flow inside the vessel. If the blood flow within the vessel is significantly fast, it indicates a blockage or narrowing.
Blood flow in the veins and arteries are assessed in order to identify the existence, severity and specific point of any disease. Whether there is a blockage or how soon an action should be taken, what actions need to be taken – everything can be considered from this ultrasound procedure. Also, since it doesn’t involve any dye, it doesn’t affect the kidney.
