Vascular Ultrasound Specialist

What is vascular ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a technology used in both diagnosis and treatment. It directs high-frequency sound waves into your body that bounce off your internal tissues or organs, creating moving images that Dr. Muttiana views on a screen.

Cardiac ultrasound or echocardiography is a standard diagnostic tool for heart problems. Dr. Muttiana uses vascular ultrasound to assess the health of the veins and arteries transporting blood around your body.

How does vascular ultrasound work?

The ultrasound device has a hand-held instrument called a transducer that Dr. Muttiana uses to send out the sound waves. You can't hear the sound the transducer makes as it's above the range that human ears can hear.

When the sound waves hit your blood vessels, the transducer picks up the echoes, and the ultrasound device translates them into moving pictures.

One of the most useful functions of vascular ultrasound is the Doppler effect, which measures how fast blood is flowing and in which direction. Doppler ultrasound makes use of changes in the way sound waves echo when your blood cells move.

When would I need a vascular ultrasound?

Vascular ultrasound is an efficient way for Dr. Muttiana to identify problems such as:

Blockages in your arteries or veins

A blockage or narrowing (stenosis) could be a result of plaque — a sticky, fatty residue — clogging the blood vessels, or you might have an arterial blood clot that's affecting your circulation.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A DVT is when a blood clot forms in the deep leg veins near your bones.

Aneurysms

Aneurysms are weak sections of an artery that become swollen with blood. They may be life-threatening if they burst.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)

CVI — the most common cause of varicose veins — results from poorly functioning valves in your veins.

By using vascular ultrasound to determine the cause of your circulatory disorder, Dr. Muttiana ensures you receive the most appropriate treatment.

What happens during vascular ultrasound?

Vascular ultrasound is a painless test that Dr. Muttiana conveniently performs at Cardiovascular Institute, P.A. It doesn't involve an anesthetic or sedative.

He applies a slippery gel to your skin that amplifies the sound waves and ensures the transducer slides smoothly. You won't feel any pain but may be aware of a sensation of pressure at some points.

From the images produced by the vascular ultrasound, Dr. Muttiana can see what problems you have and treat you immediately.

To benefit from expert vascular ultrasound, call Cardiovascular Institute, P.A., today or book an appointment online.