Vascular ultrasound imaging is a safe and noninvasive way to examine the vascular, or circulatory, system. This type of imaging can provide diagnostic results, screening information, and crucial guidance for vascular surgeons.
Screening and early diagnosis of vascular disease can lead to better patient outcomes. Cardiovascular disease is typically treatable and sometimes even reversible with early detection. For more advanced disease and vascular conditions, vascular ultrasound exams can confirm if surgery is necessary.
Since patient outcomes can be drastically improved with early detection, accurate imaging is critical. Inaccurate exams can lead to delayed results, repeated studies, or more invasive testing. Fast, accurate vascular ultrasound studies elevate patient care and provider decision-making.
From Screening to Outcomes
Vascular ultrasound exams, or studies, are designed to look at a wide range of vascular conditions. These include coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), among others. If left untreated, many of these conditions can lead to stroke or death.
Some of the more serious conditions include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). DVT is a condition in which a blog clot forms within the veins and disrupts blood flow. DVT can be dangerous because if a blood clot breaks off it can lodge in the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. AAA is a condition in which the lower aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body, becomes enlarged. It is a serious condition that can lead to aortic rupture, resulting in life-threatening bleeding. Vascular ultrasound exams can help detect these conditions early on and lead to life-saving intervention.
Patients may have a combination of symptoms or risk factors that indicate the need for a screening exam. These could include family history, tobacco use, high cholesterol, and pain or swelling in the limbs. Patients with two or more risk factors or symptoms could benefit from a vascular ultrasound screening exam. Early detection means fewer hospitalizations, reduced costs, and improved wellness overall.
The Importance of Accurate Exams
The accuracy of vascular ultrasound exams often depends on the skill of the technologist conducting the exam. At Mint Medical, exams are performed by highly trained Registered Vascular Technologists (RVTs). Our RVTs are certified to perform vascular ultrasound exams and have experience performing a variety of specialized studies, including:
- Dialysis Access Evaluation
- Extracranial Duplex
- Inferior Vena Cava Duplex
- Temporal Artery Duplex
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Raynaud’s Evaluation
- Pseudoaneurysm Evaluation Upper/Lower Extremity
- Iliac Vein Duplex
- Peripheral Venous
- Aortoiliac Duplex
- Peripheral Arterial Duplex
- Liver
- Mesenteric Duplex
- Physiologic Exams
- Renal
In addition to being certified, RVTs at Mint Medical receive continuing education and quarterly reviews. We firmly believe in providing quality results and best-in-class service time after time. Our exams have a proven correlation rate of over 90% when compared to the ‘gold standard’ angiograms. This reduces the need for invasive testing or repeat exams to determine if surgery is necessary.
“With the invaluable help of Mint Medical, over 32,000 of our members [at Kaiser] have completed screening ultrasounds,” says Dr. Stephen Okuhn, current Medical Director at Mint Medical Services and vascular surgeon, formerly of Kaiser Permanente. “These studies have been performed accurately and professionally and seamlessly…[and have] allowed us to diagnose over 1,700 aneurysms, 10% of which have been large enough to require referral to one of our vascular surgeons.”
Mint Medical Provides Expert Vascular Ultrasound Services
Accurate vascular ultrasound imaging is crucial for vascular surgeons and hospital staff to make informed decisions about patient care. These ultrasound exams are not only a diagnostic tool but a critical component of preventive medicine and excellent patient care. Quality vascular exams depend on skilled technologists and state-of-the-art technology, which Mint Medical is proud to provide. Our commitment to excellence, through experienced technologists, continuous training, and a patient-centered approach, ensures fast and reliable results time after time. Mint Medical has the deep expertise cultivated over decades to improve patient outcomes. For more information on the services we provide, visit our partners page.
Guest Contributor: Jordan Galerkin
Sources:
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20350688
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352557
