Arterial Duplex

Peripheral arterial disease is estimated to affect approximately 8 - 12 million individuals in the United States. Originally, the purpose of the noninvasive arterial evaluation was to offer objectivity in the diagnosis of lower extremity arterial disease. It was intended to complement but not to replace a careful history and physical examination of the patient. Currently, after decades of evolution, the noninvasive arterial evaluation may be tailored to a patient's specific needs, depending on the clinical presentation and the pathologic findings being evaluated.

Arterial duplex imaging provides direct anatomic and physiologic information, but it does not provide information regarding overall limb hemodynamics. Duplex imaging distinguishes between a stenosis and an occlusion, determines the length of the disease segment and patency of the distal vessels, evaluates the results of intervention (angioplasty, stent placement), diagnoses aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms, and monitors a patient's postoperative course with continuing bypass graft surveillance.