Peripheral arteries are the blood vessels that provide oxygenated blood to the legs and arms. The most common cause of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is atherosclerosis, where cholesterol and fatty material build up in the walls of the arteries forming what is referred to as plaque. Eventually, plaque can result in loss of flexibility and narrowing of the artery, reducing or completely obstructing the flow of blood. If you have been referred for a Lower or Upper Extremity Peripheral Arterial Duplex evaluation, the technologist will pass a risk-free, painless non-invasive ultrasound transducer (probe or wand) over your limbs to evaluate your arterial circulation both by generating pictures of the arteries and by listening to and visualizing the actual flow of blood. This exam may be combined with a physiologic exam before and after exercise. Learn more here.
Indications
- Post-procedure surveillance
- Claudication, resting foot pain, or gangrene
- Possible arterial ulceration
- Cyanosis
- Numbness or tingling of skin or weak pulse in limbs
Patient Preparation
No patient preparation is needed.
