Diagnosis and Treatment

Several diagnostic procedures are utilized to assess vascular diseases, and each are designed to evaluate blood flow and vascular health. 

The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is a common non-invasive test that compares blood pressure in the ankle with that in the arm to identify PAD. 

Doppler ultrasound imaging is also frequently employed to visualize blood flow and detect blockages or abnormalities in both arteries and veins. 

For venous disease and insufficiency, a venous duplex ultrasound is particularly effective, as it combines traditional ultrasound with Doppler technology to assess the structure of veins and the direction of blood flow.

Additionally, peripheral angiogram/venogram involves injecting a contrast dye into the veins followed by X-ray imaging, can provide a detailed view of vascular anatomy and identify issues such as peripheral artery disease, deep vein thrombosis or vascular stenosis/obstruction. These diagnostic tools collectively help healthcare providers determine the presence and severity of vascular conditions, guiding appropriate treatment plans.