The University of Chicago Medicine Vascular Ultrasound Laboratories use advanced diagnostic tools to quickly and effectively evaluate patients. Our vascular laboratory was among the first group of vascular laboratories in the nation to be awarded accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular (IAC) Laboratories, which demonstrates our commitment to exceptional patient care.
In addition to our IAC "Accreditation," our imagining technologists are all specialty trained and board certified. Our imaging technologists regularly collaborate with vascular surgeons, and other healthcare providers, in order to provide accurate diagnoses of complicated vascular conditions. While primary care physicians and vascular surgeons make up the majority of patient referrals, we welcome referrals from a wide range of specialties. Because vascular disease is complex and is throughout the body, we get patient referrals from podiatrists, nephrologists, transplant surgeons, neurologists, radiologists, neurosurgeons and more.
Vascular testing is often used by healthcare providers to analyze how well blood is flowing through the arteries and veins. It can provide detailed information when diagnosing arterial or vein disease or before surgeries to evaluate a patient's vascular condition. Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to create images that show how the blood is flowing through your blood vessels.
Vascular Testing Accreditation
UChicago Medicine's vascular laboratories located in Hyde Park and Orland Park have been granted accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in visceral vascular testing, extracranial cerebrovascular testing, peripheral venous testing and peripheral arterial testing. Accreditation awarded to University of Chicago Medical Center Vascular Laboratory demonstrates the facility’s ongoing commitment to providing quality patient care in vascular testing.
What happens during an ultrasound exam?
- Your ultrasound test is performed by specially trained technologists and interpreted by a board-certified vascular surgeon
- You will likely lie on a padded exam table during the test.
- A small amount of water-soluble gel is applied to the skin over the area to be examined. The gel does not harm your skin or stain your clothes.
- A small device called a transducer, which looks like a microphone, is held in place on the skin. The transducer sends sound waves through the skin and captures information about blood flow. The ultrasound signal is turned into graphs or color pictures that are shown on a display screen.
- There is virtually no discomfort during the test. You may experience some minor pressure as the transducer is pressed against your skin.
- You will need to keep still and avoid talking during some of the exams.
- Ultrasound exams usually take about 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
- After the test, the gel will be wiped off your skin.
Common Vascular Lab Tests
Our vascular lab is dedicated to evaluating the arteries and veins in the body, and examining how blood flow is moving to and away from the heart. These are some of our common tests performed.
With ankle-brachial indices, a blood pressure cuff is put on your ankle to determine how much blood is getting to your legs. During this exam, we check your ankle blood pressure and look at something called waveforms, which can show the blood flow to your legs. The ankle blood pressure and the waveforms help identify if there is any blockage preventing blood flow.
During the exam, you will have to remove your shoes, socks and pants but we will give you a hospital gown to wear, and it should take about 30 minutes to complete.
For arterial duplex exams, we use ultrasound to check the blood flow of the arteries in your arms and legs. During this test, you will have to take off your shoes and socks for the exam and may be asked to remove off your pants and shirt, but we can give you a hospital gown or shorts to wear if you prefer.
The exam is done after arterial bypass surgery to make sure that the new vein/artery graft stays open. You will need to lie down on a bed while we perform the test and it should take about one hour to complete.
For carotid duplex, ultrasound is used to examine the carotid arteries on both sides of your neck to study how well the carotid artery is carrying blood from the heart to the brain. This test will determine if plaque (a fat that builds up in the arteries) is blocking your carotid arteries.
During the exam, you will need to lie down on a bed and turn your head to one side, and it will take roughly an hour to complete.
Transcranial Doppler ultrasound is used to study the arteries in your brain. Your doctor may want to see if you are at increased risk of stroke from tiny blood clots, narrowed sections of blood vessels, or vasospasm.
During the exam, you will need to lie down on a bed and turn your head to one side, and it will take roughly an hour to complete. A small amount of water-soluble gel is applied to the back of the neck, the area between your cheek bone and ear and sometimes the eyelid.
This test will give your doctor information about the direction and speed of the blood flow in the arteries of your brain. The test is also used after certain treatments to monitor results (for example, to dissolve blood clots in the brain).
For venous duplex, we use ultrasound to look for blood clots in the veins of your arms and legs.
During this exam, you will have to take off your shoes, pants or shirt, but we can give you a hospital gown or shorts to wear if you prefer. The test will take about an hour to complete and you will be lying on a bed.
Additional Venous Testing
- Vein mapping is done to help us understand the size of your veins before undergoing venous ablation, bypass surgery or dialysis.
- Testing for varicose veins (veins are large and twisted) can be in any part of the body but are most often in legs and feet. These exams are done to determine whether or not valves are closing properly in your veins. This can take between one to two hours to complete.
During the abdominal arterial duplex test, your technologist will use an ultrasound to look at the lower portion of your aortic artery where blood flows from your heart to your legs. They will often be looking for an aneurysm. Aneurysms form when arteries become weak and enlarge like a balloon being inflated.
During the exam, you may be asked to loosen your pants and lift up your shirt to show your belly for better results during the test. You will be lying down on a bed and may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds.
You will not be able to eat or drink before this test. This exam should take about one hour but can take longer if your belly is filled with gas.
For renal arterial duplex testing, we use ultrasound to look for any blockages in your kidneys and their arteries.
During the exam, you may be asked to loosen your pants and lift up your shirt to show your belly for better results during the test. You will be lying down on a bed and may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds.
You will not be able to eat or drink before this test. This exam should take about one hour but can take longer if your belly is filled with gas.
For mesenteric arterial duplex testing, we use ultrasound to look at the arteries to your stomach and intestines.
During the exam, you may be asked to loosen your pants and lift up your shirt to show your belly for better results during the test.You will be lying down on a bed and may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds.
You will not be able to eat or drink before this test. This exam should take about one hour but can take longer if your belly is filled with gas.
Food & Drink Instructions
If you are having an abdominal, renal or mesenteric exam, you cannot eat or drink for 12 hours before your appointment. Abstaining from eating or drinking before your test lowers the amount of gas in your belly and allows us to get the best test results. Most exams are done early in the day, typically around 8 or 9 a.m., but If you eat or drink before your tests, the vascular lab may need to reschedule your appointment
If you have a prescription medication that your doctor recommends you take at the same time every morning, you may take your medication with a small amount of food or water (whatever you need to take the pill).
About Your Vascular Lab Results
By logging into to our MyChart patient portal, you can see any test results within 4 to 7 days after your test. If you have any problems seeing your test results, please contact the doctor who ordered the test.
You should expect that your test results are written in medical language for doctors. Because you may feel concerned or worried when you do not understand your test results, we recommend you talk with your doctor or health care provider before looking at any test results.
Request an Appointment
To speak to someone directly, please call 1-773-702-6128. If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.
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