ACMC's vascular specialists diagnose and treat diseases of the arteries and veins. They treat these conditions through medicine, therapy, lifestyle changes or minimally-invasive surgery.
Vascular disease is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the country. Vascular diseases also affect heart health, and may be linked to obesity and diabetes.
Diseases that affect a person's arteries and veins include:
A weakening or bulging of a blood vessel.
A hardening or thickening of the arteries. This is a progressive, chronic disease.
A narrowing of the main blood vessels that carry blood to the brain. This narrowing is most commonly due to a buildup of plaque. It may also be called carotid artery stenosis.
A condition that occurs when veins in the legs do not allow blood to make its way back up to the heart. This can be due to valves that allow blood to flow away from the heart. Symptoms of this include leg pain, swelling and ulcers.
Pain as a result of other disease, such as peripheral artery disease.
Blood clots in a vein.
A narrowing or blockage of arteries, which decreases blood flow to the muscles of the calf, buttocks or thighs.
A decrease in the blood flow to the intestines.
A circulation disorder that reduces blood flow to organs. Legs and feet are most commonly affected first.
A blood clot that forms in the veins and travels to an artery in the lung, blocking blood flow.
Decreased blood flow to the fingers or other extremities such as ears, knees and nose. This disease is made worse in cold weather, since it causes a spasm in the blood vessel, which reduces blood flow.
Enlarged veins that can be seen through the skin. These appear as red, blue or purple. It is caused by poor circulation from the legs to the heart, which allows blood to pool in the legs.
Symptoms
Common vascular symptoms include:
- Pain when walking or moving.
- Ulcers.
- Shortness of breath.
- Skin discoloration.
- Swelling in the extremities.
- Weakness.
Vascular Diagnostic Exams
Our team of vascular specialists has a variety of diagnostic exams to determine the cause of your symptoms. These include:
- Lower arterial.
- Lower aterial duplex.
- Upper arterial.
- Upper arterial duplex.
- Upper venous duplex.
- Ultrasound guide for thoracentesis.
Carotid Ultrasound
The most common reason for a venous ultrasound exam is to search for blood clots in the veins. This exam involves having a small transducer (probe) and ultrasound gel placed directly on the skin. Venous ultrasound provides pictures of the veins throughout the body. A Doppler ultrasound study may be a part of a venous ultrasound exam. This is a special ultrasound technique that evaluates blood flow through a blood vessel.
Arterial ultrasound is done as an alternative to arteriography and venography. It may help diagnose arteriosclerosis of the arm or legs, blood clots (DVT), or venous insufficiency. A water-soluble gel is placed on a handheld device called a transducer, which directs the high-frequency sound waves to the artery or veins being tested. Also, blood pressure cuffs may be put around different parts of the body, including the thigh, calf, ankle and different points along the arm. A paste is applied to the skin over the arteries being examined. Images are created as the transducer is moved over each area.
Carotid ultrasound shows whether a waxy substance or plaque has built up in your carotid arteries. A carotid ultrasound is a painless test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the inside of your carotid arteries that are located on each side of your neck. The internal arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain. The external carotid artery supplies oxygen-rich blood to your face, scalp and neck.