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Lower Extremity Arterial Doppler

Indications:

• Claudication (leg pain occurring with walking and relieved by rest)
• Severe leg pain occurring at rest and most notable while lying down
• Non-healing leg, foot or toe sores
• Weak or absent pulses
• Cold feet and toes (vasospasm/Raynaud's)

Description:  This test uses pressure and plethysmography to measure arterial circulation.  Multiple cuffs are placed along the lower extremities.  Severity and general location of disease can be determined.  If the indication for the examination is leg pain with walking, the patient may be asked to walk on a treadmill for 5 minutes.  Following exercise, pressure measurements are obtained.  This test documents the presence and physiologic significance of arterial occlusive disease.

Upper Extremity Arterial Doppler

Indications:

• Cold hands/fingers (vasospasm/Raynaud's)
• Non-healing finger wounds
• Hand or finger pain
• Palmer arch assessment prior to radial artery harvesting for cardiac bypass surgery
• Suspected digital embolization

Description:  This test uses pressure and plethysmography to measure arterial circulation.  Multiple cuffs are placed along the upper extremities.  Severity and location of disease can be determined.  The test may include digital recordings following cold or warm water immersion.

Lower/Upper Extremity Arterial Ultrasound

Lower Extremity:

Indications:

• Leg pain occurring with walking or at rest
• Non-healing leg, foot or toe wounds
• Weak or absent pulses
• Suspected aneurysm at the groin or behind the knee
• Follow-up after vascular bypass surgery

Upper Extremity:

Indications:

• Radial artery duplex mapping for cardiac bypass surgery
• Pre-operative fistula placement

Description: This test uses Doppler ultrasound.  Gel is applied along the extremity.  A probe is then run along the course of the artery to locate obstructions/occlusions.   Length and severity of lesions can be determined.  This test can be helpful in planning intervention (angioplasty versus bypass).  This test may be used in conjunction with a lower/upper extremity arterial exam.  It is routinely performed following lower extremity arterial bypass to ensure that the bypass remains open.  This test is also used to check aneurysms at the groin or behind the knee.