Vascular Ultrasound

Diagnostic Imaging for Vein Conditions

An ultrasound is a safe and painless diagnostic procedure. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of your body. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) offers expertise in all types of ultrasound imaging.

When Doctors Use Vascular Ultrasound

A vascular ultrasound checks the blood vessels to see whether there are any areas of blockage, narrowing or dilatation (widening). Your vein specialist may recommend vascular ultrasound to check for these or other conditions:

• Arteriovenous (AV) fistula for hemodialysis (connection point for a dialysis machine that takes over the normal function of a kidneys that aren’t working)
• Blood flow in the arteries or veins in your neck, arms or legs
• How well a bypass graft is working (treatment to open up a blocked blood vessel)

Vein specialists also use ultrasound to diagnose other vascular issues:

• Aortic aneurysm
• Autoimmune disorders
• Varicose and spider veins

What to Expect

You don't need to make any special preparations for your vascular ultrasound. The test lasts 30 to 90 minutes.

During the test, you'll lie on a table with your abdomen exposed. The technologist who performs the exam, called a sonographer, will put a warm, water-based gel on the skin surface. The gel helps transmit clear sound waves. The sonographer will move an instrument called a transducer (about the size of a microphone) over your skin. The ultrasound machine will capture images.

After the Ultrasound

The sonographer will give you a towel to wipe off the extra gel from your abdomen. You can resume your normal daily activities right away. Call your doctor to discuss the results of your vascular ultrasound.