Common Questions About Vascular Imaging
What is the vascular system?
The vascular system is made up of blood vessels including arteries, veins and lymph vessels. The arteries and veins carry blood to and from the heart and to the tissues throughout the body.
What is vascular disease?
Vascular diseases involve narrowing of arteries by plaque, which may reduce blood flow through the vessels to the arms, legs, head and neck or to the abdominal organs. In addition, ballooning of the arteries can result in aortic aneurysms.
How is vascular disease diagnosed?
Vascular testing can provide early detection of abnormalities in the arteries and veins. Registered medical sonographers use state-of-the-art ultrasound technology to produce images of these blood vessels.
What is the diagnostic procedure like?
The procedures are non-invasive, painless and usually take less than an hour. The sonographer puts gel on the skin and uses an ultrasound probe, which transmits the ultrasound waves, to create the image of the blood vessel. The image helps physicians evaluate the presence and severity of vascular disease.