Vascular imaging is offered at advanced imaging centers and hospitals throughout the Sentara Healthcare system. An imaging tech will perform your exam, which will later be interpreted by a radiologist. Your Sentara health care team is prepared to answer any questions you have before, during and after your exam.
What is vascular imaging?
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Abdominal aortic aneurysm
(AAA) scan |
Vascular imaging is used to detect vascular disease.
Peripheral arties carry blood to the extremities, such as the legs and feet. When these blood vessels become clogged with calcium deposits, it narrows the passageway.
The medical name for this hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) is peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This condition decreases the blood flow to the nerves and tissues, which can result in pain in the legs, ulcers, wounds that will not heal and even more serious complications.
Sentara imaging services offer a full range of non-invasive and minimally invasive diagnostic imaging services for patients with vascular disease from in office peripheral vascular lab studies to advanced imaging studies. Your doctor will give you more information on the vascular imaging appropriate for your diagnosis.
What can vascular imaging tell my doctor?
Vascular imaging can inform you doctor about many conditions including:
Blood flow to organs and tissues
Blockages (stenosis) and abnormalities like plaque or emboli
Blood clots
Carotid artery disease
Peripheral artery and venous diseases
Renal and mesenteric blood vessel abnormalities
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the legs or arms
Enlarged artery (aneurysm)
Varicose veins
Narrowing of vessels
Tumors
Congenital malformations
How do I prepare for my exam?
Various tests are used to study vascular disease. Your physician can help you best prepare based on which tests will be used.
How is the test performed?
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Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Scan |
Many tests can be used to diagnose vascular disease. They include:
Ultrasound
Doppler study, which measures and detects blood flow
CT scan or Computed Tomography Angiogram (CTA)
MRI or MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiogram)
PET-CT
Ankle Brachial Index, which can determine whether blood flow to the leg is blocked.
Arteriography, an X-ray image that shows the flow of blood.
Angiography, an outpatient procedure to help map blood vessels.
Are there risks?
Please see the links above on each specific test to see what the risks and benefits will be.
How will I find out the results?
A radiologist, a physician specifically trained to supervise and interpret radiology examinations, will analyze the images and send a signed report to the physician who referred you for the exam. In some cases the radiologist may discuss results with you at the conclusion of your examination.
Locations:
Vascular Advanced Imaging Locations
Executive Evaluation Center Wainwright, Norfolk
Sentara Belle Harbour
Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Hampton
Greenbrier, Chesapeake
Sentara Independence
Sentara Leigh Hospital, Norfolk
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Sentara Obici Hospital, Suffolk
Sentara Princess Anne
Sentara Princess Anne Hospital
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center
Sentara Medical Group Diagnostic Centers
First Colonial Diagnostic Center, Virginia Beach
Fort Norfolk Diagnostic Center, Norfolk
Sentara Vascular Specialists
Chesapeake
Norfolk
Virginia Beach
Hampton
Newport News
Williamsburg
Suffolk
Eastern Shore (Nassawadox)
Sources:
RadiologyInfo.org – ultrasound
RadiologyInfo.org – vascular imaging
MedlinePlus
Sentara.com