Arterial Duplex Ultrasound for Upper and Lower Extremities

A duplex ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging test that vascular physicians prescribe to see how blood is moving through arteries and veins. It combines the imaging capability of ultrasound with the recording capability of a Doppler ultrasound. 

A duplex ultrasound also can identify the width of a blood vessel and reveal arterial blockages in many areas of the body including the lower extremity areas of the legs and feet. Extremities may be the site of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) which affects millions of Americans.  PAD is a serious vascular condition that can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

An arterial duplex ultrasound is performed by a technologist who has been specially trained. A gel substance is placed on the skin of the area being evaluated and a small probe is rubbed over the area to obtain the images. Different angles of the area may be examined, so patients may have to lie in different positions to get an image. The images are always reviewed by a vascular surgeon. No preparation is required for this test. 

Patients are required to obtain a physician prescription for the test. It is the first step in diagnosing the potential of vascular conditions such as blood clots, aneurysms, or narrowing of arteries.