Ultrasound Tests and Expectations

A carotid ultrasound as a stroke prevention tool will  consist of blood pressures being taken in both arms and using the transducer on the right and left sides of the patient's neck. 

The ultrasound tech will be evaluating the common carotid, internal carotid, external carotid, vertebral and subclavian arteries. 

No preparations by the patient are necessary, we just prefer you don't wear a high neck shirt. 

An abdominal aorta test consists of blood pressures in the arms and at two spots on each ankle. The ultrasound tech will then use the transducer to evaluate the blood flow in the patient's abdominal aorta, common iliac and external iliac arteries. The tech will also be verifying the size of the vessels in regards to any aneurysms that may be present. 

Preparations for this test consist of nothing to eat or drink 12 hours before the appointment (and preferably no smoking the morning of the appointment) to allow for the ultrasound to obtain the most accurate images. The patient may be asked to remove socks and shoes. 

A renal artery test will consist of the transducer being used on the patient's abdomen to evaluate the abdominal aorta and renal arteries. The patient will start flat on their back but may be asked to roll to their left and right sides to get accurate images of the kidneys and renal arteries. 

Preparation for this test is no food or drink for 12 hours prior to the appointment (preferably no smoking the morning of) to allow for accurate images. 

Venous tests of the arms (upper) and legs (lower) will consist of the ultrasound tech using the transducer on your arms or legs to evaluate for a blood clot. The tech will be pressing on your skin to compress the veins and augment the flow to prove or disprove the presence of thrombus (blood clot).

Upper venous tests will look at the jugular, subclavian, axillary, brachial, basilic and cephalic veins. 

Lower venous tests will look at the common femoral,  profunda , femoral,  popliteal,  posterior tibial,  peroneal and great saphenous veins. 

No preparations by the patient will be necessary but you will be asked to remove pants, socks and shoes for the lower venous and possibly your shirt for the upper venous test. 

The varicose vein test is a two part test and will consist of the first part laying down and the second part either standing on a box or sitting erect on the bed with legs outstretched. The tech will be pressing on or squeezing the legs.

Part one of the test will look at the common femoral,  profunda femoral, femoral,  popliteal,  small saphenous,  posterior tibial,  peroneal and great saphenous veins. 

Part two of the test will evaluate the effectiveness of the common femoral, femoral, popliteal, small saphenous, anterior saphenous and great saphenous veins. 

No preparations by the patient will be necessary but you will be asked to remove pants, socks and shoes.

The upper (arms) arterial test will be blood pressures in both the upper arms and forearms and a pressure of the middle finger on both hands. The ultrasound tech will also use the transducer to evaluate blood flow in the vertebral (in the neck), subclavian, axillary, brachial, radial and ulnar arteries. 

The lower (legs) arterial test will be blood pressures in both arms, at two spots of each ankle and pressures of both big toes. The ultrasound tech will also use the transducer to evaluate blood flow in the common femoral, profunda femoral, superficial femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, anterior tibial and peroneal arteries. 

No preparations by the patient will be necessary but you will be asked to remove pants, socks and shoes for the lower arterial and possibly your shirt for the upper arterial test. 

The arterial venous fistula (AVF) test consists of the transducer being used to evaluate the blood flow in the affected arm. The ultrasound tech will evaluate the subclavian and axillary arteries and veins, the brachial, radial and ulnar arteries and either the basilic or cephalic vein to ensure the fistula is working properly for dialysis treatments. 

No preparation is necessary. The patient might be asked to remove their shirt.

The mesenteric test will consist of the transducer being used on the patient's abdomen to evaluate the abdominal aorta, superior mesenteric, celiac, hepatic, splenic and inferior mesenteric arteries. 

Preparation for this test is no food or drink for 12 hours prior to appointment (preferably no smoking the morning of) to allow for accurate images. 

Ankle/ Brachial Indices tests are just blood pressures in the arms and two spots of each ankle. Occasionally pressures will also be necessary of the big toes. 

No preparations are necessary. The patient may be asked to remove shoes and socks. 

Evaluation for Raynaud's syndrome, which can be done on arms/ legs would include the arterial portion mentioned previously and a more in depth testing of the fingers/ toes. The ultrasound tech will obtain blood pressures of all the fingers/ toes, the hand/ foot will then be placed in ice water for three minutes and then blood pressures will be taken again on all fingers/ toes. 

No preparations are needed. Patient will be asked to remove socks and shoes for this portion of testing. 

This test would include an upper arterial study with a more in depth evaluation using specific movements of each arm to evaluate changes in the blood flow to the finger. 

No preparations are necessary but you might need to remove your shirt.