Vascular Testing & Screening in Greenbelt, MD
Screening is a vital first step toter bet vascular health. Most severe issues like aortic aneurysms have few if any symptoms. At Maryland Cardiology, we use non-invasive tests whenever possible, and we screen for urgent or emerging vascular disease using the following tests:
Over half of all people with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) are undiagnosed
Almost 18 million people living in the United States (and over 20% of those over age 60) have Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
People with PAD have a 21% increased risk of a heart attack, stroke, hospitalization or death within one year.
That is why we use the QuantaFlo™ PAD test to delivers fast, accurate results to determine if you may have PAD or any other vascular disease.
SYMPTOMS THAT WOULD REQUIRE EXAM:
Claudication-fatigue, heaviness, tiredness, cramping in the leg muscles (buttocks, thigh, or calf) that occurs during activity such as walking or climbing stairs. This pain or discomfort goes away once the activity is stopped and during rest. Many people do not report this problem to their health care providers because they think it is a natural part of aging or due to some other cause.
Ultrasound Technology
Upper and Lower Arterial Duplex Scan
To visualize and assess blood flow through the arteries of the upper and lower extremities toward diagnosing disorders such as occlusion and aneurysm and evaluate for the presence of plaque and stenosis. This procedure can also be used to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions such as arterial graphs and blood flow to transplanted organs.
SYMPTOMS THAT WOULD REQUIRE EXAM:
Chest pain, High blood pressure, Swollen legs, leg pain, tingling toes
Transcranial Doppler Scan
Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound (TCD) is a non-invasive method used to examine blood circulation within the brain.
We transmit sound waves through the tissues of the skull. These waves bounce off blood cells moving within the blood vessels, allowing the radiologist to interpret their speed and direction. This test gives us ultrasound images that help in the diagnosis of a wide range of conditions affecting blood flow to the brain and within the brain.
SYMPTOMS THAT WOULD REQUIRE EXAM:
Minimal Symptoms of: Chest pain, Shortness of Breath, Palpations, High blood pressure, Swollen legs, leg pain, tingling toes
Carotid Doppler
Carotid ultrasound is a painless and harmless test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the insides of your carotid arteries. You have two common carotid arteries, one on each side of your neck. They each divide into internal and external carotid arteries. The internal carotid arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain. The external carotid arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your face, scalp, and neck.
SYMPTOMS THAT WOULD REQUIRE EXAM:
Minimal Symptoms of: Chest pain, Shortness of Breath, Palpations, High blood pressure, Swollen legs, leg pain, tingling toes
Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound
An ultrasound of the abdominal aorta is a non-invasive, painless test that uses high-frequency sound waves to image the “aorta,” the main blood vessel leading away from the heart.
SYMPTOMS THAT WOULD REQUIRE EXAM:
Intense back or abdominal pain, Rapid pulse, Nausea and vomiting, Excessive sweating, Shock, Risk factors, High blood pressure, Smoking, High cholesterol, Obesity, Emphysema, Genetic factors, Gender (males have a higher risk)
Venous Duplex Scan
Venous duplex scan is a painless exam that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to capture images of internal views of veins that return blood to the heart. During an upper extremity venous duplex scan, the veins in your neck, shoulders, arms and wrists are viewed. During a lower extremity venous duplex scan, the veins in the legs and ankles are viewed.
SYMPTOMS THAT WOULD REQUIRE EXAM:
Minimal Symptoms of: Chest pain, Shortness of Breath, Palpations, High blood pressure, Swollen legs, leg pain, tingling toes, EKG negative results
Renal Ultrasound
A renal ultrasound is a safe and painless test that uses sound waves to make images of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
SYMPTOMS THAT WOULD REQUIRE EXAM:
Kidney stones, obstructions to urinary flow, collections of fluid in and around the kidneys, and infections.
Vascular Procedures
Abdominal Angiogram with Runoff
Abdominal aortograms with runoff is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and organs of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins, and the heart chambers. This takes images of the lower abdominal aorta and arteries in the legs.
Atherectomy with Stent
A minimally invasive endovascular surgery technique for removing atherosclerosis from blood vessels within the body. It is an alternative to angioplasty for the treatment of peripheral artery disease. Stent placement is option that can be done during Atherectomy.
Angioplasty with Stent
For certain people, heart disease treatment can be achieved without surgery. Angioplasty is a non-surgical procedure that can be used to open blocked arteries. Stent placement is option that can be done during angioplasty.
