Vascular Lab Services

The University of Chicago Medicine Vascular Ultrasound Laboratories

Our labs use diagnostic tools for quick and effective exams of patients. Our lab was one of the first vascular labs in the nation to be accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular (IAC) Laboratories. This shows our commitment to the very best patient care.

Our imagining technologists are trained and board certified. They work together with vascular surgeons, and other healthcare providers to provide the very best diagnoses of vascular conditions.

Primary care physicians and vascular surgeons make most of our patient referrals. We also welcome referrals from many different areas of medicine. Vascular disease is complex and is found over all the body. We get patient referrals from podiatrists, nephrologists, transplant surgeons, neurologists, radiologists, neurosurgeons and more.

Vascular testing is often used by healthcare providers to know how well blood is flowing in the arteries and veins. It can provide detailed information to diagnose arterial or vein disease. It is also used before surgery to know a patient's vascular condition. Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to make images. The images show how the blood is flowing in your blood vessels.

Vascular Testing Accreditation

vascular testing accrediation

UChicago Medicine's vascular labs are in Hyde Park and Orland Park. All our labs are accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). This includes our work in visceral vascular testing, extracranial cerebrovascular testing, peripheral venous testing and peripheral arterial testing. Our accreditation shows our ongoing commitment to providing quality patient care in vascular testing.

During Your Ultrasound Exam

Your ultrasound test is done by trained technologists.
Tests are reviewed by a board-certified vascular surgeon.
You may need to lie on a padded exam table.
A small amount of water-soluble gel is put on your skin over the exam area. The gel does not harm your skin or stain your clothes.
A small device called a transducer (looks like a microphone) is held in place on the skin. The transducer sends sound waves into the skin and gets information about blood flow. The ultrasound signal turns into graphs or color pictures. These images can be seen on a kind of T.V. or computer screen.
There is very little to no pain during the test. You may feel a small amount of pressure as the transducer is pressed against your skin.
You will need to keep still and not talk during some of the exam.
The exam takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
After the test, the gel is wiped off your skin.

Common Vascular Lab Tests

Our vascular lab looks at the arteries and veins in the body. This is done to know how blood is moving to and away from the heart. These are some of our most common tests.

Ankle-Brachial Indices

A blood pressure cuff is put on your ankle to know how much blood is getting to your legs. During the exam, we check your ankle blood pressure and look at something called waveforms that show the blood flow to your legs. The ankle blood pressure and the waveforms help us know if there is anything that is blocking and preventing blood flow.

During the exam, you will have to remove your shoes, socks and pants. We will give you a hospital gown to wear. The exam will take about 30 minutes to complete.

Arterial Duplex

Ultrasound checks the blood flow of the arteries in your arms and legs. During this test, you will have to take off your shoes and socks for the exam. You may also need to remove your pants and shirt. We can give you a hospital gown or shorts to wear during the test.

The exam is done after arterial bypass surgery to make sure the new vein or artery graft stays open. You will need to lie down on a bed during the test. The test takes about one hour to complete.

Carotid Duplex

Ultrasound is used to see the carotid arteries on both sides of your neck. This is done to know how well the carotid artery is carrying blood from the heart to the brain. This test will know if plaque (a fat that builds up in the arteries) is blocking your carotid arteries.

During the exam, you will need to lie down on a bed and turn your head to one side. The test will take about an hour to complete.

Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound

Transcranial Doppler ultrasound is used to study the arteries in your brain. Your doctor may want to see if you have a higher risk of stroke from tiny blood clots, narrowed sections of blood vessels, or vasospasm.

During the exam, you will need to lie down on a bed and turn your head to one side. The test will take about an hour to complete. A small amount of water-soluble gel is put on the back of the neck, the area between your cheek bone and ear and sometimes on the eyelid.

This test gives your doctor information about the direction and speed of blood flow in the arteries of your brain. The test is also used after some treatments to see the results (for example, to remove blood clots in the brain).

Venous Duplex

Ultrasound is used to look for blood clots in the veins of your arms and legs.

During the exam you will be lying on a bed. You will have to take off your shoes, pants or shirt. We can give you a hospital gown or shorts to wear. The test will take about an hour to complete.

Other kinds of venous testing

Vein mapping is done to understand the size of your veins before having venous ablation, bypass surgery or dialysis.

Testing for varicose veins (veins are large and twisted) can be in any part of the body. They are most often in legs and feet. These exams are done to know if the valves are closing properly in your veins. This test can take 1 to 2 hours to complete.

Abdominal Arterial Duplex

During this test we use an ultrasound to look at the lower part of your aortic artery where blood flows from your heart to your legs. We may be looking for an aneurysm. An aneurysms is when arteries become weak and get bigger like a balloon being inflated.

For better results during the exam, you may need to loosen your pants and lift up your shirt to show your belly. You will be lying down on a bed. You may need to hold your breath for a few seconds.

You will not be able to eat or drink before this test. This exam will take about one hour. It can take longer if your belly is filled with gas.

Renal Arterial Duplex

During this test we use ultrasound to look for anything blocking your kidneys and their arteries.

For better results during the test, you may need to loosen your pants and lift up your shirt to show your belly. You will be lying down on a bed. You may need to hold your breath for a few seconds.

You will not be able to eat or drink before this test. This exam will take about one hour. It can take longer if your belly is filled with gas.

Mesenteric Arterial Duplex

With mesenteric arterial duplex testing, we use ultrasound to look at the arteries to your stomach and intestines.

During the exam, you may be asked to loosen your pants and lift up your shirt to show your belly for better results during the test.You will be lying down on a bed and may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds.

You will not be able to eat or drink before this test. This exam should take about one hour but can take longer if your belly is filled with gas.

Food & Drink Instructions

If you are having an abdominal, renal or mesenteric exam, you cannot eat or drink for 12 hours before your appointment. Abstaining from eating or drinking before your test lowers the amount of gas in your belly and allows us to get the best test results. Most exams are done early in the day, typically around 8 or 9 a.m., but If you eat or drink before your tests, the vascular lab may need to reschedule your appointment

If you have a prescription medication that your doctor recommends you take at the same time every morning, you may take your medication with a small amount of food or water (whatever you need to take the pill).

About Your Vascular Lab Results

By logging into to our MyChart patient portal, you can see any test results within 4 to 7 days after your test. If you have any problems seeing your test results, please contact the doctor who ordered the test.

You should expect that your test results are written in medical language for doctors. Because you may feel concerned or worried when you do not understand your test results, we recommend you talk with your doctor or health care provider before looking at any test results.

Vascular Conditions We Treat

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Aortic Dissection Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Carotid Artery Disease Limb Salvage Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)Peripheral Artery Disease Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Vein Clinic

Vascular Surgery Second Opinion 565 x 290

Get a Second Opinion

You can request a second opinion with one of our vascular surgeons.

Clinical Trials

Our vascular surgeons are continuously investigating the latest medications, devices, diagnostic services and treatments for vascular disease.

Request an Appointment

The information you provide will enable us to assist you as efficiently as possible. A representative will contact you within one to two business days to help you schedule an appointment.

To speak to someone directly, please call 1-773-702-6128. If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

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