血管实验室

University Hospital's Vascular Lab performs several non-invasive tests which help detect and localize obstructed arteries or veins and gives the physician valuable information to aid in planning early treatment. 这些测试是安全的，几乎无痛. 不需要注射或抽血进行测试. 测试大约需要30-45分钟, 但是计划花大约一个小时做必要的文书工作.

脑血管评价

A cerebrovascular exam uses ultrasound to examine blood flow in the neck arteries that supply the brain (carotid and vertebral arteries). 当血液通过主动脉离开心脏时, it circulates through the carotid and vertebral arteries on each side of the neck into the head.

During a cerebrovascular exam, the technologist will pass a transducer over both sides of the neck. 该检查包括评估颈总动脉, 颈外动脉, 颈内动脉和椎动脉. The technologist will look for build up of plaque and fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) which may cause a narrowing or blockage of the arteries. 动脉粥样硬化会增加个人中风的风险.

Symptoms indicating the need for a cerebrovascular exam may include one or more of the following:

• Numbness, weakness or inability to move face, arm or leg especially on one side of the body.
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes (dimness, blurring, double vision or loss of vision)
• 行走困难，头晕，失去协调性
• 说话或理解困难
• 中风，短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)或小中风.

上肢或下肢动脉评估

动脉检查检查的是体内的动脉. 动脉将血液输送到细胞和器官. An upper extremity arterial evaluation examines blood flow in the arms and a lower extremity arterial evaluation examines arteries in the legs. 正常情况下，动脉内壁是光滑的. When the inner lining becomes hard and thick, atherosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries") develops. This can cause an artery to narrow (called a "stenosis") or close off completely (called an "occlusion"). 当这种情况发生时, blood must go through other blood vessels to get around the blockage causing alternate circulation called "collateral circulation". Atherosclerosis occurs in all arteries to some degree however the arteries of the neck, 心脏和腿最常受影响. 外周动脉疾病(PAD)是指手臂或腿部的阻塞.

An arterial evaluation is done to examine the arteries in the arms or legs to look at the blood flow to locate stenosis or occlusion.

An arterial ultrasound examination where the technologist will passes a probe (transducer) over the limb and visualize the flow in the arteries may be performed. 检查也可能涉及主干区域的动脉, 比如主动脉(来自心脏的大动脉).

A physiologic study may also be done which involves using blood pressure cuffs at different levels of the legs and/or arms to check the circulation. 波形会被记录下来，血压也会被测量. An exercise study may also be performed to see if the leg symptoms are related to blockages in the arteries.

Common signs and symptoms indicating the need for an arterial examination may include one or more of the following:

• 手臂或腿部疼痛、颜色异常或缺乏脉搏.
• Pain or cramping in the calf, thigh or buttocks when walking that goes away with rest.
• 脚趾或脚的剧烈疼痛
• 足部不能愈合的疮或伤口.
• 宽脉冲

上肢或下肢静脉评价

A venous evaluation uses noninvasive ultrasound to evaluate blood flow in the veins of your arms, 双腿还是双腿. 静脉把血液输送回心脏. 静脉主要有两种类型:深静脉和浅静脉. 深静脉位于组织和肌肉中. 浅静脉更靠近表面. 深静脉血栓(Deep Vein Thrombosis, DVT)是指在静脉深部形成血栓. 可能导致肢体疼痛、发红和肿胀. DVT is a serious concern because a piece of the clot can break off and travel to the lungs. 这被称为肺栓塞. The risk of pulmonary embolism is reduced by early detection and treatment of DVT. A superficial clot, although painful, generally does not run the risk of traveling to the lungs.

A venous evaluation may also be performed to determine if the valves in your veins are working properly, (静脉回流或静脉功能不全检查). This exam requires the exam table to be tipped or the patient to be standing so the blood flow goes down into the legs. The technologist will have the patient perform various breathing techniques to test whether or not the valves are closing properly. 在这个检查中也可以看到静脉曲张.

在静脉评估期间, the technologist will pass a transducer over the arm or leg to look at the blood flow in the veins.

Common signs and symptoms indicating the need for a venous evaluation may include one or more of the following:

• 四肢疼痛、肿胀或压痛
• 皮肤变蓝皮肤变蓝
• 皮肤异常潮红或发红
• 疑似肺栓塞
• Ulcers or wounds in the ankle region that have difficulty healing (venous insufficiency exam)
• 静脉曲张

腹主动脉瘤(AAA)

The aorta is the main artery of the chest and abdomen that carries blood from the heart to all the body's vital organs and eventually to the legs and feet. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a weakening in the wall of the aorta that causes a widening or "ballooning" of a portion of the artery itself, 很像老式橡胶内胎的薄弱环节.

An ultrasound can determine if there is an aneurysm and provide measurements to determine size and location of the aneurysm. Patients who have an AAA may have the scan many times to see if the aneurysm is growing over time and how fast it is growing. 病人可能会被要求在检查前禁食或饮水.

During this exam the technologist will pass the transducer over the abdomen and evaluate the abdominal aorta. 大多数患有动脉瘤的人一开始都没有症状. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are often found incidentally on an X-ray or CT scan and followed up with ultrasound.

Indications for an ultrasound of the abdominal aorta include the following signs, 症状和危险因素:

• Pain in the chest, abdomen or lower back- possibly spreading to the groin or buttocks.
• 腹部搏动性肿块或肿块.
• 动脉瘤家族史
• 60岁以上且有吸烟史的男性

Patients who have a family history of aneurysms may have an ultrasound of the groin or behind the knee to evaluate the arteries in those areas for aneurysms as well.