Tests for Vascular Conditions
- Angiography
Angiograms are x-ray pictures of blood vessels. To do an angiogram, the doctor puts a catheter (a very thin, flexible tube) into the blood vessel. He or she then injects a contrast dye into the blood vessel that shows up on x-rays.
The angiogram allows your health care provider to check the inside of a blood vessel to see if it is narrowed, leaking, misshapen, enlarged, or blocked.
- CT scan
CT scanning, also called computed or computerized tomography, is an x-ray test used for diagnosis. X-rays are taken from a series of different angles and arranged by a computer to show a cross-sectional view of organs in the body.
CT scanning is used when your health care provider needs more detailed information than regular x-rays provide.
- Duplex ultrasound
Duplex ultrasound uses both sound echo and Doppler echo signals to make pictures. The ultrasound bounces sound waves off the deep veins in an arm or leg. These echo pictures help locate any blockages. Doppler ultrasound signals measure how fast the blood flows through the veins.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a special test that produces very clear, detailed pictures of the organs and structures in your body. The test uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to create images in cross-section.
- Lymphoscintography
Lymphoscintography can help diagnose lymphedema. It involves injecting a small amount of radioactive material and then taking images to watch the flow of lymph.
- TCPO2
Test to determine the level of oxygen within the tissues. This test helps evaluate wound healing potential and level of blood flow.
