Vascular Imaging

What is vascular imaging?

Vascular imaging refers to the diagnostic tests Lone Star Heart and Vascular Center offers to evaluate your blood vessels and circulation. These tests may find narrowed or blocked arteries that affect blood flow to your heart, brain, or extremities. 

Vascular imaging may also find blood clots that increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. 

What are the types of vascular imaging?

Lone Star Heart and Vascular Center is a state-of-the-art cardiac facility and offers advanced vascular imaging tests. Some of the tests include:

Abdominal aortic ultrasound

An abdominal aortic ultrasound measures the size of your aorta and looks for plaque formation. 

The cardiovascular disease specialists perform this vascular imaging test to diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is an enlargement of the blood vessel. 

Carotid artery ultrasound

During a carotid artery ultrasound, your provider uses ultrasound technology to look for narrowing or blockages from the buildup of plaque in your carotid artery, which supplies blood to your brain. 

Lower extremity arterial study

During the lower extremity arterial study, your provider at Lone Star Heart and Vascular Center uses ultrasound imaging to examine blood flow in your arms and legs. They use this test to diagnose peripheral artery disease (PAD). 

Lower extremity venous study

The lower extremity venous study uses ultrasound imaging to assess blood flow in the veins in your legs. This study looks for blood clots in the lower extremities, as well as incompetent leg veins. 

Nuclear stress test

The nuclear stress test uses a radioactive tracer to monitor blood flow through your heart during physical activity. 

Renal scan

The renal scan is a nuclear scan that measures blood flow to your kidneys. Impaired blood flow to your kidneys may affect kidney function or cause high blood pressure. 

Renal ultrasound

During a renal ultrasound, your provider determines the size, shape, and position of your kidneys and evaluates the blood vessels. 

What happens during vascular imaging?

The specifics of your vascular imaging depend on the type of test you need. Your provider at Lone Star Heart and Vascular Center reviews the details of your test at your consultation, so you know how to prepare and what to expect during the test.

Most vascular imaging studies are noninvasive and require no downtime afterward, unless otherwise directed by your cardiovascular disease specialist.

Lone Star Heart and Vascular Center is a state-of-the-art cardiac facility that offers advanced testing and treatments to help you get the answers you need. Call the office or book online today to discuss your vascular imaging needs.