Arterial Ultrasound
An arterial ultrasound of the upper or lower extremities provides pictures of the arteries and the blood flow within the arteries of the arms or legs.
An arterial duplex ultrasound uses sound waves to create a color map of the arteries in your legs to identify Narrowing of your vessels that may be
causing leg pain when walking. Claudication is a symptom of a narrowing or blockage of an artery. Typical symptoms of claudication include: Pain, a
burning feeling, or a tired feeling in the legs and buttocks when you walk. Shiny, hairless, blotchy skin that may get sores.
Your provider may also order an ankle brachial index, or ABI. An ABI is an ultrasound exam using high frequency sound waves and a blood pressure machine
to measure the arterial blood flow pressure difference between your arms and legs and analyze the quality of blood flow in your ankle arteries.
What Should I Expect?
You will change into a gown and lie on an exam table. A gel is applied to your skin to ensure that the transducer (the probe that emits the high-frequency sound waves)
has good contact for sound transmission.
The transducer is placed on your skin and is moved over the area of interest as the technologist records various images. You should experience no pain or discomfort
during the exam.
The radiologist will review your exam and a report of your exam will be sent to your doctor, who will discuss the results with you.