Introduction Venous structure and function are different from their arterial counterparts. Although they both transport blood, the veins perform multiple different functions. Their tasks include transporting blood back to the heart, helping to regulate body temperature and cardiac output, and…
Introduction Vascular emergencies require a prompt diagnosis, as timely intervention is often critically important. Delays of minutes or hours in diagnosis may mean the difference between life and death, or limb preservation or loss. Ultrasound plays an important role in…
Introduction Noninvasive imaging during and following carotid artery and peripheral arterial interventions can improve procedural and patient outcomes. Duplex ultrasound imaging alone or in conjunction with extremity systolic blood pressure measurements provides accurate diagnostic information sufficient to identify technical problems…
Introduction Noninvasive testing for lower extremity arterial disease provides objective information that can be combined with the clinical history and physical examination to serve as the basis for decisions regarding further evaluation and treatment. One of the most critical decisions…
Introduction Doppler ultrasound is extremely useful in the evaluation of the many problems facing the hemodialysis patient. It is a noninvasive technique that demonstrates vascular detail without the risk of phlebitis or contrast reaction associated with contrast venography. Current Dialysis…
Introduction The upper extremity arterial system requires a different diagnostic approach than that used in the lower extremity. Although progression of focal atherosclerosis or acute arterial emboli are almost always the cause of symptomatic disease in the lower extremity, upper…
Introduction Atherosclerosis of the peripheral arteries is recognized as a major cause of death and disability. It has been estimated that at least 8 million people in the United States have stenosis or occlusion of one or more of their…
Introduction A solid familiarity of the anatomy of the upper and lower extremity arteries is required for the evaluation of arterial disease. This chapter provides an overview of the upper and lower extremity arterial anatomy. Normal anatomy, common variants, and…
Introduction In 1965, Miyazaki and Kato first reported the use of continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound for the assessment of extracranial cerebral vessels. Despite its rapid development in other medical fields, this technique was not applied to the intracranial vessels until 1982.…
Introduction The association of carotid atherosclerotic disease with symptomatic cerebrovascular disease (i.e., transient ischemic attacks), amaurosis fugax, and stroke, is well established. Carotid endarterectomy and stenting are also effective in managing symptomatic patients with high-grade carotid stenosis. However, the implications…