Diagnostic Imaging Specialist
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Carolinas Vein & Vascular Solutions
Martin Carignan, MD
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery & General Surgery located in Huntersville, NC & Mooresville, NC
Diagnostic imaging using ultrasound creates exceptional pictures of your arteries and veins, showing the details of their structure and the movement of blood as it flows through the vessels. At Carolinas Vein & Vascular Solutions, Martin Carignan, MD, has years of experience producing high-quality diagnostic ultrasound images that guide treatment decisions and restore your health. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Huntersville, North Carolina, or book an appointment online.
Diagnostic Imaging Q & A
What is diagnostic imaging?
Diagnostic imaging is a noninvasive and painless procedure that uses ultrasound to produce images and videos of your arteries, veins, and heart. During a diagnostic ultrasound, your provider places a handheld device called a transducer or probe against your skin above the blood vessel they want to examine.
The probe sends sound waves into your body. The waves bounce off the internal structures they encounter and go back to the transducer. The transducer then sends them to a computer, which converts the sound waves into detailed images.
Why would I need diagnostic imaging?
You need diagnostic imaging to determine the cause of symptoms that suggest artery and vein conditions. You also need an ultrasound when you have a visible problem that’s associated with blood vessels, such as varicose veins, skin changes in your lower legs, or a venous or arterial leg ulcer.
Carolinas Vein & Vascular Solutions often uses diagnostic ultrasound to locate blood clots, fatty plaque, and aneurysms. Since Doppler ultrasound creates moving images, your provider can evaluate blood flowing through your veins and arteries and diagnose the severity of blockages.
What conditions does diagnostic imaging diagnose?
Ultrasound produces real-time images that reveal vascular structures and show blood moving through the vessels. The conditions Carolinas Vein & Vascular Solutions frequently diagnoses with diagnostic ultrasound imaging include:
- Peripheral artery disease
- Carotid artery disease
- Renal artery disease
- Pelvic congestion syndrome
- Peripheral venous disease
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Peripheral aneurysms
- Aneurysm disease
- Mesenteric ischemia
Your provider may also recommend an ultrasound to evaluate the effectiveness of earlier vascular treatment.
What type of diagnostic procedure is the ABI?
The ABI (ankle-brachial index) compares the blood pressure in your ankles to the pressure in your upper arms. The results tell your provider if you have peripheral artery disease (caused by cholesterol plaque) and, if so, the general severity of the blockage.
During the procedure, you lie down on the exam table, and your provider places a blood pressure cuff on your leg. Then they place an ultrasound probe over the targeted artery and take your blood pressure.
Your provider inflates the cuff until they hear the blood flow stop, then slowly release the air in the cuff until they hear your blood flow start again. Then they repeat the same process on the other ankle and both arms.
If you have questions about diagnostic imaging or need to schedule an appointment, call Carolinas Vein & Vascular Solutions, or use the online booking feature today.
