Vascular Lab

Vascular Laboratory

Vascular laboratory procedures are a safe, painless method to diagnose problems in arteries and veins.

Most procedures use ultrasound and are performed by vascular sonographers to determine the patency (openness, or absence of obstruction) of arteries and veins. Typically, vessels may be studied in the arms, legs, neck and abdomen. Northwestern Medicine's Vascular Laboratory offers state-of-the-art facilities that include:

• Nine Philips I-U22 duplex ultrasound machines
• Three Parks Flow-labs

Vascular laboratory services

The length of your exam will depend on the area to be scanned and specific information needed by your physicians. Services include:

• Evaluation of the veins in the arms or legs to determine the presence of blood clots (deep venous thrombosis or DVT)
• Evaluation of the arteries in the legs or arms to determine the presence and severity of arterial occlusive disease (PAD)
• Evaluation of the arteries in the neck to determine the presence and severity of carotid artery disease
• Evaluation of arteries in the brain to determine blockage or spasm in the vessels (Transcranial Doppler or TCD)
• Evaluation of the abdominal aorta and branches to determine the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm or occlusive disease
• Evaluation of the renal arteries to determine if narrowing of the vessels is present