Tests in the Vascular Laboratory
Ankle-Brachial Index (arterial Doppler)
This test is intended to work out whether the arteries in your legs are clear or not. This can be done by comparing two blood pressures in your arm and ankle. If the blood pressure in the ankle is significantly lower, this is due to a narrowed artery in the leg.
Treadmill test
Like the ankle-brachial index, the treadmill test is a test which is used to identify blocked arteries in the lower limbs. This is test is carried out during exercise and it is much more sensitive than the ankle-brachial index, which is carried out at rest. Even moderately narrowed arteries can be identified in this way.
Capillaroscopy
This test is used to make the diagnosis of Raynaud’s disease, among others.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound is a non-invasive test that is able to visualise both the shape of the blood vessel and the flow of blood using sound waves. No radioactivity is used in an ultrasound.
Angiography
An angiogram involves taking pictures of a vein or artery. There are various ways of carrying out an angiogram and each one has specific advantages and disadvantages. Your vascular surgeon will choose one or the other method intentionally and for a good reason.