Lower Extremity Arterial Exam

What is a Lower Extremity Arterial Duplex Exam?

Ultrasound is used to examine the lower extremity arteries to provide an overview of the location, extent and severity of vascular disease. The ultrasound evaluation can be performed from the abdominal aorta through the tibial vessels and extended into the foot in order to facilitate clinical management decisions.

Preparing for the Test:

There is no need for any special preparation.

You may eat and go about your normal activities unless otherwise informed.

Do continue to take all your medications prescribed by your doctor and follow your doctor’s orders as usual.

Procedure:

You will be asked to change to a gown with the opening in the front and removing clothing from the waist down.

A highly trained technician will use the probe to evaluate the arteries from your groin to your ankles at several different sites.

The results of your test will be carefully reviewed and interpreted by the Cardiologist.

Arterial Symptoms: claudication, leg pain, rest pain, bruits, gangrene, diabetic neuropathy, skin color changes or ulceration, absent or diminished distal or pedal pulses, distal extremity hair loss, skin or nail infections, hypertension, and extreme weakness or fatigue.