Ultrasonography is used to diagnose arterial stenosis caused by atherosclerosis and other diseases of the blood vessels in the abdomen, neck, lower and upper limbs. Doppler ultrasound allows the measurement of blood flow through the vessels, assessment of the cross-section and efficiency of the examined arteries, and also enables the detection of any vascular anomalies, e.g. aneurysms. The test is painless and non-invasive, there are no contraindications for its frequent repeat. Ultrasound of the arteries can be performed in children, the elderly and pregnant women.
Make an appointment now - to the doctor who performs the ultrasound of the arteries in our hospital
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Indications for ultrasound of the arteries of the lower extremities
lower limb pain increasing while walking and decreasing while resting (so-called intermittent claudication),
skin changes on the calves, hindered healing of wounds on the legs,
cold feet,
weak or undetectable pulse in the posterior tibial artery and / or the dorsal artery of the foot
high blood pressure, diabetes, poor blood test results (dyslipidaemia),
diagnosed atherosclerosis in the previous ultrasound examination,
control after surgical procedures performed on arteries.
A pulsating tumor in the abdomen and abdominal pain are grounds for suspecting aortic aneurysm - an urgent ultrasound examination.
Preparation for ultrasound of arteries
If the aorta and iliac arteries are assessed, the patient should not eat for at least 6 hours prior to the scheduled examination. On the day preceding the examination, food that is difficult to digest and causes flatulence should be avoided. If the ultrasound of the arteries is to be performed again, the results of the previous tests should be prepared.
Ultrasound of the arteries - the course of the examination
In order to examine a specific artery, it is necessary to expose:
abdomen (examination of the aorta and iliac arteries),
legs from the groin to the ankles (ultrasound of the arteries of the lower extremities),
neck (ultrasound of the carotid and vertebral arteries),
shoulder, arm, forearm (ultrasound of the arteries of the upper limb).
The doctor covers the examined area of the body with a special gel and then applies an ultrasound head emitting ultrasound waves. The ultrasound reflects off the moving medium (flowing blood) and returns to the ultrasound head. The resulting image of the artery along with the blood stream flowing through the artery is observed by the doctor on the monitor screen. The ultrasound of the arteries is completely painless and non-invasive. The duration of the examination depends on the length of the artery section being assessed - it may vary from 20 to 60 minutes.
What does the doctor assess during ultrasound of the arteries?
Color imaging with the assessment of flow velocity by means of spectral recording (PW Doppler) enables safe and non-invasive diagnostics of atherosclerotic lesions, stenosis and arterial obstruction. In many cases, ultrasound of the arteries in conjunction with the assessment of ankle-brachial indexes is an important element in qualifying the patient for further treatment.
Ultrasound of the aorta
The doctor measures the diameter of the aorta along the entire section available for examination. The walls of the aorta are assessed mainly for the presence of atherosclerotic lesions - especially at the exit of the renal arteries, celiac trunk, superior mesenteric artery and the division of the aorta into common iliac arteries. The doctor also assesses the walls of the aorta for dissections that can lead to the formation of an aortic aneurysm. Aortic aneurysm rupture is a life-threatening emergency, so early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is very important.
Ultrasound of the arteries of the lower extremities
The doctor examines the vascularization of each lower limb separately. They are pictured, among others arteries: common iliac, internal and external iliac, common femoral artery, deep thigh artery, superficial femoral, popliteal, anterior and posterior tibial artery, and sagittal artery.
SOURCE:
1. Małek G, Elwertowski M, Nowicki A. Standardy badań ultrasonograficznych Polskiego Towarzystwa Ultrasonograficznego – aktualizacja. Badanie aorty i tętnic kończyn dolnych. Journal of Ultrasonography 2014; 14:192-202.
Frequently asked questions about ultrasound of arteries:
The ultrasound of the arteries of the lower extremities is performed in the case of:
leg pain that increases with walking and decreases with rest (so-called intermittent claudication),
poor skin condition of the feet and calves, impaired wound healing,
frequent feeling of cold feet,
high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, poor blood test results (e.g. dyslipidaemia),
diagnosed atherosclerosis in a previous ultrasound examination,
post-operative checks on arteries.
The doctor covers the limb at the level of the examined section of the artery with a special gel and then applies an ultrasound head emitting ultrasound waves. The ultrasound reflects off the tissues and blood flowing in the artery, and then returns to the ultrasound head. The resulting image of the vessels is observed by the doctor on the monitor screen. The ultrasound of the arteries is completely painless and non-invasive. The duration of the examination depends on the length of the artery segment being assessed and may take up to 40-60 minutes.
Ultrasound examination detects places of narrowing and obstruction of the arteries. Accurate blood flows above the stenosis, blood flow rates at and below the stenosis are documented. It is also possible to determine the severity of atherosclerotic lesions along with an assessment of the risk of atherosclerotic plaque detachment and embolism formation. This makes it easier for the doctor to make the right decision about choosing the right treatment method.
