Following an initial evaluation, your physician will often order a diagnostic vascular ultrasound (DVU). Ultrasound uses the principle that a sound wave will pass through tissue and be reflected back. These reflections are caused by the interfaces of tissues with varying densities. The time it takes for the sound wave to return is then used to construct a two-dimensional image of the area being studied. In addition, flow within a blood vessel can be studied using ultrasound, and from this determination, an estimate of the degree of blockage can be made.

Ultrasound is a painless and entirely safe method. It is often the only study your surgeon will need to make a treatment recommendation. In a few cases, ultrasound will not give enough information and additional studies may be ordered.

Common uses for vascular ultrasound include screening for and measurement of aneurysm size, evaluation of the veins for blood clots, and evaluation of the arteries for blockages. A vascular problem is often monitored over many years using ultrasound.

The Hickory Surgical Clinic has an on site full-service vascular laboratory. When you come for a DVU, our technologist will greet you and bring you back to the vascular laboratory. You may find the room somewhat warm at first but once your study is under way, you will appreciate this. Also, the ultrasound gel is warmed so that the “shock” of cold get can be avoided. The technologist will often ask you questions concerning the status of the blood vessels to be examined. The test may also involve the use of blood pressure cuffs placed at specific locations when the amount of blood flow is being quantified. No needles or painful object will be used during the study. Most studies will take less than 45 minutes to complete, and will be interpreted by a physician with special training in this field.

Most ultrasound studies require no specific preparation. When structures in the abdomen are being studied, bowel gas can interfere with the study and for this reason, we ask that you have fasted for at least 8 hours before these studies. Every effort will be made to perform these studies first thing in the morning.