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After you have been seen and examined by your doctor or surgeon,
you may be asked to come to our Vascular Laboratory for further testing.
This is a routine part of the evaluation of a patient with known or suspected
vascular disease.
In our lab, you will be seen initially by our specially trained
vascular technologist. Our equipment is "state of the art" and
our Lab has been fully accredited after passing a rigorous inspection.
If necessary, you will be seen by one of our vascular surgeons at the
time of your testing.
The lab is capable of examining the arteries and veins in
your body in great detail. These are all completely non-invasive studies
with absolutely no risk to your health. There is no radiation involved
since tests are done using doppler sound waves in various forms.
You may be asked to undergo a test of your carotid arteries.
These arteries supply blood to the brain and, when diseased, may be a
leading cause of stroke. If we detect a significant blockage in a carotid
artery, it may be an important first step toward preventing a serious
stroke.
Aneurysms (ballooning out) of the aorta are a leading cause
of death in this country. Most of these remain symptom-free even at large
sizes. We are able to detect the presence of abdominal aortic aneurysms
with an ultrasound test. The elective treatment of these disorders is
far safer than emergent treatment.
Blockages of the arteries in the legs can lead to pain with
walking, ulcers on the feet, or gangrene. The blood flow in the legs can
be accurately measured with the instruments in our lab. This information
is vitally important in making treatment decisions for our patients.
Blood clots can sometimes form in the veins of the legs.
These clots can cause swelling of the legs or travel to the lungs and
create a "pulmonary embolus." This dangerous condition is treatable
if found early
As the above examples illustrate, our Vascular Laboratory
is a valuable asset for maintaining the health of our patients. Appointments
can be made through our office.
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