All vascular testing is performed by a trained senior cardiovascular sonographer. In a quiet, temperature-controlled room, participants will be asked to lie flat on their back on a hospital bed. Ultrasound images of the vessels in the neck and arm will be acquired using a special ultrasound camera. A pressure sensor will record the pulse from vessels in the neck, arm and leg. We will also acquire images of smaller blood vessels using a high frequency ultrasound machine. This allows us to see the structure of the blood vessels in detail. You will feel slight pressure from the camera, but just like an echo, staying as still as possible is very helpful for getting accurate images. Some of the vascular tests require patients to fast for four-six hours before the procedure. You will be informed if this is the case. Vascular imaging usually takes around 30-40 minutes to complete.
Throughout your vascular ultrasound test, you will be lying comfortably on your back. This special vascular ultrasound room is in a temperature controlled and quiet area within the lab, as the testing should be completed in a quiet, calm and stable environment. The equipment the sonographer is using was custom-built for this unique test.