Vascular Ultrasound Offers Lifesaving Look at Arteries

When you hear the word ultrasound you may automatically think women and pregnancy. But ultrasound is an important component of vascular medicine and provides critical information that vascular surgeons of University Surgical Associates use to perform lifesaving treatment!

Vascular ultrasound is used to evaluate arteries or veins in nearly any part of the body, including blood vessels in the neck, abdomen, arms and legs. During a vascular ultrasound study, sound waves are transmitted through the tissues of the area being examined. These sound waves reflect off of blood cells moving within the blood vessels and return to the ultrasound machine, displaying an image on a computer screen. The speed of the sound waves allows for calculation of the speed of blood flow in the vessel. When the speed of blood flow is too fast, this indicates a blockage.

Pictured are USA Vascular Technicians, specially trained to perform vascular ultrasound studies

The Vascular Group of University Surgical Associates features an onsite ultrasound lab, called Vascular Diagnostic Services (VDS), staffed with ultrasound professionals. The lab began in 1982 as a mobile unit offering ultrasound services to outlying hospitals in the region. At that time, those types of services were not offered in rural areas. Today, VDS is a comprehensive vascular laboratory – accredited in all areas of vascular testing by the International Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL). USA vascular technicians also travel to the USA Cleveland, Gunbarrel, Dayton, and Crossville offices to perform studies.

All USA vascular studies are performed by a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) and read by a USA vascular surgeon. The test helps the surgeon look at arteries and veins, then decide what course of treatment, if any, may be necessary. USA vascular surgeons use ultrasound studies to help diagnose a number of conditions including venous disease, varicose veins, vascular disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), carotid artery disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). If left untreated, some of these conditions can be very dangerous, leading to stroke and aneurysms.

"Ultrasound is particularly useful for diagnosing problems with arteries. If someone has blockages in their legs (either mildly or severely reduced blood flow), they are losing a degree of normal blood supply to those extremities," says Bettina McAlister, RVT, Technical Director of VDS. "The blockages can cause troublesome health conditions like no- healing sores or ulcers and claudication, a condition that causes pain with walking that goes away when the person is at rest."

SPECIALIZED TRAINING MATTERS

The ultrasound professionals at University Surgical Associates have completed specialized training to earn the RVT designation. To receive certification, vascular techs must successfully complete a registry exam on sonography physics, the instruments used to perform the test, and a specialized vascular technology exam.

"Vascular techs are eligible to seek this credential, recognized throughout the United States, when they complete two years of pre-requisite courses and are accepted and complete a comprehensive and approved two-year training program. This program includes a dedicated year of hands-on clinical experience," McAlister says. "Every vascular technician at University Surgical is registered, meaning they received a designation from the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. And many have five to 10 years of experience. Our patients can have confidence they are receiving the highest quality care by professionals who have the training and experience to be experts in their field."

FREE VETERANS SCREENING
Saturday, November 10, beginning at 8 am

In honor of Veterans Day, the Vascular Group of USA is offering free arterial ultrasound screenings to veterans ages 50+ and their spouses. USA vascular techs will use ultrasound to check participants for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), carotid artery disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA.)

Screenings are performed at the USA Surgical Specialties Building at 2108 E. 3rd Street, Chattanooga, TN 37404. The screening is at no cost to veterans and spouses but you must reserve your spot. Call us at 423-756-1342 or go online to universitysurgical.com/veterans.

Noteworthy:

"Ultrasound is particularly useful for diagnosing problems with arteries. If someone has blockages in their legs (either mildly or severely reduced blood flow), they are losing a degree of normal blood supply to those extremities." Bettina McAlister, RVT, Technical Director of VDS.