What To Expect
During Your Vascular Examination
There
are two aspects to a vascular ultrasound examination. The first
involves using ultrasound to generate images of the blood vessels.
The second part uses the Doppler aspect of ultrasound to listen
to and generate tracings of the blood flow through the vessel.
You will hear the Doppler signal. A typical vascular ultrasound
examination can last between 20 - 60 minutes, depending on the
specific test ordered. Vascular ultrasound procedures are noninvasive,
meaning they do not require the use of needles, dyes, radiation
or anesthesia and are, therefore, relatively painless and harmless.
The
person performing the test should be trained and possibly credentialed
in vascular technology. The physician who interprets the results
of your vascular ultrasound examination should have proper education,
background and training in this specialized area of medicine.
By making sure that your vascular ultrasound study is performed
within an accredited laboratory, you can rest assured that the
laboratory staff members who will be involved in your examination
have met nationally accepted standards for quality and are maintaining
their level of expertise in the field by regularly participating
in continuing medical education programs.
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