Both non-invasive and invasive diagnostic studies for vascular (blood vessel) disease are provided by Central Baptist Hospital.

Non-Invasive Vascular Studies

Non-invasive studies help your doctor diagnose problems in the arteries and veins in your legs, arms or neck. The tests are called non-invasive, because no dyes, x-rays or needles are used to perform them. These tests are offered on our cardiovascular lab.

Non-invasive tests available for venous disease (problems in the veins, such as varicose veins and thrombophlebitis or blood clots) include:

Venous Duplex Imaging and Doppler Ultrasonic Signal with Spectral Analysis and/or Color Flow Velocity Mapping or Imaging
These tests use ultrasound to create a two-dimensional picture of your veins. They are helpful in diagnosing many different kinds of venous disease, including weak valves and blood clots. They can also be used to measure the size of a vein being used in coronary artery bypass surgery.

Non-invasive diagnostic tests available for arterial disease (problems in the arteries, such as blockages caused by atherosclerosis) include:

Arterial Blood Pressures, Waveforms and Exercise Test
This test is used to find the location and extent of blockages occurring in the arteries of the legs. The test uses an ultrasound stethoscope or Doppler to record blood flow at different points along your leg. Blood pressure readings are also taken in your legs and arms before and after walking on a treadmill.

Doppler Ultrasound
This test uses an ultrasound stethoscope to analyze the sound of blood flowing through your arteries to your brain. It is used to diagnose blockages in the carotid arteries that could lead to a stroke.

Duplex Scanning
Duplex scanning uses ultrasound to create a picture of the arteries in your legs or the arteries leading to your brain. It can be used to locate blockages and measure the size of an artery and how well blood flows through it.

Invasive Studies

Requires admission to the hospital for the day of the procedure. Please bring a list of your medications with you the day of your exam. Central Baptist is equipped with state-of-the-art digital vascular imaging (DVI) equipment to produce images of the vascular system. DVI studies are termed invasive, because they use a special dye called a contrast medium to make pictures of the vascular system. Studies available include:

Arteriograms Arteriograms provide your doctor with a road map of arteries and pinpoint the location of abnormalities or blockages. An arteriogram may include imaging of the cerebral arteries in the brain, the carotid arteries in the neck, the aorta, the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, the renal arteries in the kidneys and arteries in the legs and arms.

Venograms Venograms provide your doctor with a road map of the veins and pinpoint the location of abnormalities such as blood clots.

Back to Stroke Services
Back to Radiology