What is a Vascular Lab?
- The vascular lab is a specialty area of Radiology that focuses on testing for possible circulation problems. Depending on what symptoms a patient presents with, the exam may be performed to look for problems with circulation in the arteries (blood vessels taking blood away from the heart), veins (blood vessels bringing blood back toward the heart), or both.
What does a Vascular Lab exam look for?
- In the Vascular Lab, ultrasound is used to specifically look for circulation (blood flow) problems throughout the body. Below you will find information about what blood vessels and what parts of the body we evaluate, as well as what kind of problems we might be looking for. The specific type of testing ordered by a doctor is based on what type of symptoms a patient might be describing.
What types of blood vessels are evaluated in the Vascular Lab?
- Arteries and veins
- Arteries – This is the system of blood vessels that take blood away from the heart and deliver it throughout the body. Oxygen and nutrients are vital to all the organs and tissue throughout our body. Problems with circulation in the arterial system can prevent organs, body parts, and tissue from functioning properly and/or repairing itself after an injury.
- Veins – This is the system of blood vessels that bring blood back toward the heart and lungs. The majority of the oxygen and nutrients have been used up at this point, and the blood needs to be “recharged” so that it can be sent out again through the arterial system.
- Distinguishing new problems versus old problems
- Ultrasound can be a very useful tool in determining whether circulation problems are new or old. Blockages in the blood vessels will normally have characteristics (what the blockage looks like on the screen) that aid the reading physician in determining if a blockage is new or old. The technologist will also ask the patients to describe what symptoms (problems) they are having, how severe they are, and how long they have been going on. This information is used, along with the data gathered during testing, to assist the physicians as they try to help patients manage their medical needs.
Is there radiation involved with vascular lab testing?
- No. Vascular lab testing is done with the use of various forms of ultrasound. With ultrasound, a probe is placed on the skin surface and sound waves are sent in to the body. Those sound waves bounce off everything under the skin (tissue, bone, muscle, blood vessels, etc..). The sound waves that return to the ultrasound probe are used by the ultrasound machine to create an image of what is below the surface. Ultrasound is a very safe technology.
Does a vascular lab exam hurt?
- In general, no, an ultrasound exam is not a terribly uncomfortable exam. However, in order to provide a high quality diagnostic exam, and gather the best possible information to help confirm whether there is a problem with the circulation, exams may require the technologist to use a moderate amount of pressure through some parts of the test. The technologist is responsible for explaining what they will be doing during each specific exam, express whether any discomfort might be expected during the exam, and to be attentive to every patients needs if the individual is unable to tolerate any part of the study. The information being gathered is potentially critical to providing accurate exam results, so we always encourage patients to work with us as much as possible while we go through the study.
What types of problems are evaluated in the vascular lab?
- There is a wide variety of circulation problems that the vascular lab can help evaluate for. The type of symptoms that a patient presents with will dictate what type of exam is performed. Some patients present with symptoms that have come on quickly, and may be life threatening, such as symptoms of a stroke, mini-stroke, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), or arterial blood clot. Other patients present with problems that have progressively worsened over time, but are not necessarily life threatening, such as long term narrowing of arteries at different areas of the body or bulging veins (varicose veins) in the legs. Ultrasound, when performed by a qualified technologist, is a very safe and highly effective tool for identifying the location and severity of vascular problems throughout the body.
Do I get my results right away?
- Our technologist works directly with Dr. Kedersha to determine what needs to be evaluated. Dr. Kedersha is on hand during each appointment, and can discuss the results with you in real time. There is no waiting for results or evaluation.
Can I ear or drink before the exam?
- You are able to carry on as normal before your appointment. Our technician requires limited changes to your daily routine. The only thing request is that you refrain from using lotions the day of the exam, as that can interfere with the ultrasound.