The Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory at the hospital offers tests to help your doctor diagnose problems in the arteries and veins in your legs, arms and neck. The tests are called non-invasive, because no dyes, X-rays or needles are used to perform them.

Non-invasive diagnostic tests available for venous disease (problems in the veins, such as varicose veins and thrombophlebitis or blood clots) include:

• Venous Duplex Imaging and Doppler Ultrasonic Signal with Spectral Analysis and/or Color Flow Velocity Mapping or Imaging use ultrasound to create a two-dimensional picture of your veins. These tests are helpful in diagnosing many different kinds of venous disease, including weak valves and blood clots. They can also be used to measure the size of a vein being used in bypass surgery.

Non-invasive diagnostic tests available for artery disease include:

• Arterial Blood Pressures, Waveforms and Exercise Test which is used to find the location and extent of blockages occurring in the arteries of the legs. The test uses an ultrasound stethoscope or Doppler to record blood flow at different points along your leg. Blood pressure readings are also taken in your legs and arms before and after walking on a treadmill.
• Doppler Ultrasound uses an ultrasound stethoscope to analyze the sound of blood flowing through your arteries to your brain. It is used to diagnose blockages in the carotid arteries that could lead to a stroke.
• Duplex Scanning uses ultrasound to create a picture of the arteries in your legs or the arteries leading to your brain. It can be used to locate blockages and measure the size of an artery and how well blood flows through it.
• Vasculogenic Impotency Testing uses ultrasound to diagnose vascular disorders as a cause of impotence or sterility in men.

For more information about non-invasive vascular procedures, call the Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory at (502) 897-8151.

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