Be Prepared . . .

The sonographer may ask about:

• Previous ultrasounds
• Previous vascular surgeries, including heart surgeries
• Other previous diagnostic tests
• Smoking history (number of years and packs per day)
• Current symptoms
• Certain risk factors (diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol)
• Previous strokes or mini-strokes
• Family history of vascular diseases
• Previously diagnosed conditions
• Injuries
• How far you can walk (in blocks) before pain begins

Physiologic exams may vary from one hour to an hour and a half. Please plan your time accordingly.

Before Your Test . . .

No preparation is required for this test.

Arrive 30 minutes early to register at the outpatient desk.

It is important to let the sonographer know if you have had an artificial graft placed in the arm or leg being tested.

During Your Test . . .

You will lie on your back with the area to be examined exposed. Doppler ultrasound will be used during the first part of the test to listen to the blood flow in the vessels. Non-greasy gel will be applied to your skin to improve the contact between a hand-held device called a transducer and your skin. High frequency sound waves pass through the body and are reflected by the blood vessels to create echoes called doppler. You will hear the blood flow beating in time with your heart during this part of the test. The computer displays and records a visual waveform of this audible sound.

Blood pressure cuffs will be placed on both arms and at 3 or 4 levels on both legs. The cuffs will be inflated to a mild pressure and waveforms recorded of the blood pulses.

The cuffs will then be inflated at each level of the arms and legs to take blood pressures. The pressures are recorded and compared to the pressure above and below on the same side and to the pressure at the same level on the opposite side. The leg pressures are also compared to the arm pressures. Depending on your physicians orders, some exams are limited to the arms, fingers or toes only.

After Your Test . . .

Before leaving, you may need to wait briefly while the printout is reviewed by the radiologist. You can return to your normal routine right after the test.

Physicians providing service at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital are independent contractors with privileges to admit and care for patients in the hospital.