Delivering top-tier cardiovascular ultrasound services directly to your practice
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Delivering top-tier cardiovascular ultrasound services directly to your practice -
Venous Evaluation (Upper/Lower Extremity)
A venous evaluation is a diagnostic procedure the technicians at Cardiovascular Speciality Imaging use to produce live images of the veins throughout the body via sound waves to evaluate diseases of the upper and lower extremities. A venous ultrasound shows detailed images and blood flow direction to diagnose vascular conditions accurately. Understanding the vascular health status is essential for complete heart and vascular care. A vascular evaluation uses a transducer that passes sound waves to check for irregularities. A computer converts the bounced sound waves into real-time images to show the current state of veins.
A venous evaluation of the upper and lower extremity is a 30 to 60-minute test. Although the procedure requires little to no preparation, the technologist may ask a person to fast and not eat anything for 6 to 8 hours before the test. A doctor may suggest a venous evaluation if there is a suspicion of a venous disorder. The results of a venous ultrasound are usually immediate, and the doctor will share the results and discuss the next steps, which include problem diagnosis and suggesting a personalized treatment plan.
Why perform Venous Evaluations (Upper/Lower Extremity)
The purpose of a venous evaluation of the upper and lower extremities is to determine the presence of blood clots, especially in the leg veins, referred to as deep vein thrombosis or DVT. A venous ultrasound is performed to identify the cause of leg swelling, aid in placing a needle or catheter in the veins, map out the arm or leg veins and examine the condition of a blood vessel graft used for dialysis for blockage or narrowing.
A venous ultrasound is critical to ensure successful vein treatment. Some symptoms like leg ulceration, discoloration or hardening of leg skin, and pain, numbness, cramping, or itching are the common reasons doctors use venous ultrasound. Vascular arms and leg tumors, venous insufficiency, superficial thrombophlebitis, and peripheral venous disease are some conditions diagnosed by venous ultrasound of the extremities. The ultrasound can also allow the technician to listen to the veins functioning. The procedure also checks enlarged lymph nodes, hematomas, and baker’s cysts.