Cardiovascular

It is a fundamental diagnostic test, since it offers a moving image of the heart. Using ultrasound, echocardiography shows us information about the shape, size, function, strength of the heart, movement and thickness of its walls and the operation of its valves. In addition to the information of the pulmonary circulation and its pressures.

How the echocardiogram is performed

A conductive gel is applied to the patient’s chest or directly to the transducer. The transducer is placed on the patient’s chest, usually on the patient’s left side. The cardiologist will move the transducer across the patient’s chest to obtain different images. The test usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, although it can sometimes be prolonged.

The patient remains lying down and as calm as possible. The echocardiogram is not painful nor does it produce any side effect. It can be performed perfectly on pregnant women without any consequence for the baby, since it is a test that does not emit radiation. During the study, you may hear some noise that corresponds to the speed of the blood inside the heart.

It is done by measuring blood pressure in the ankle and arm while a person is at rest. In this case, repeat the blood pressure measurements at both sites after a few minutes of walking on a treadmill.

The ABI ankle-arm index result is used to predict the severity of peripheral arterial disease PAD. A slight decrease in your ABI with exercise means that you probably have PAD. This decrease may be significant, because PAD may be related to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Why is it done

This test is done to detect peripheral arterial disease in the legs. It is also used to determine the effectiveness of a treatment.

This test can be difficult to find out your risk of heart attack and stroke. The results can help you and your doctor make decisions about how to reduce your risk.

It is an imaging study that uses sound waves to show the circulation of blood through the blood vessels. Regular ultrasounds also use sound waves to create images of structures inside the body, but they cannot show circulating blood.

Doppler ultrasound works by measuring sound waves specified in moving objects, such as red blood cells. This is known as the Doppler effect.

For what do you use it?

Doppler ultrasound is used to determine if you have a condition that reduces or obstructs blood circulation. It can also be used to diagnose certain heart conditions. It is usually used to:
Look for obstructions in the blood circulation. Obstruction of blood flow in the legs can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Look for damage to blood vessels and defects in the structure of the heart
Look for narrowing of the blood vessels. The narrowing of the arteries in the arms and legs may be due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Narrowing of arteries in the neck may be due to carotid artery stenosis
Monitor blood circulation after an operation
Verify that the blood circulation between the pregnant woman and the fetus is normal.

This test uses ultrasound to examine blood flow in the arteries and large veins in the arms or legs.

How the test is performed

A water-soluble gel is applied to a handheld device called a transducer. This device directs high-frequency sound waves to the artery or veins they are examining.
Sphygmomanometers can be placed to measure blood pressure in different parts of the body, including the thigh, calf, ankle, and different points along the arm.

It is a study that uses sound waves to examine the structure and function of the carotid arteries in the neck. The two carotid arteries are on either side of the neck. The carotid arteries carry blood from the heart to the brain.

Carotid ultrasound is used to test for blocked or narrowed carotid arteries, which may indicate an increased risk of stroke. The results of a carotid ultrasound can help your doctor determine what type of treatment you may need to reduce the risk of stroke.

Why is this test done?
It is performed for the primary purpose of a carotid ultrasound is to identify narrowed carotid arteries that indicate an increased risk of stroke.

The narrowing of the carotid arteries is usually caused by plaque – an accumulation of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances that circulate in the bloodstream.

Your doctor may recommend a carotid ultrasound if you have medical conditions that increase the risk of stroke, including:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Family history of stroke or heart disease
• Recent transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke
• Abnormal sound in the carotid arteries (murmur), detected by the doctor with a stethoscope
• You will have a Doppler ultrasound that evaluates the flow of blood through the carotid arteries.

the patient must lie on their back on an examination table that can include or move. The patient could be moved to either side to improve the quality of the images.

It is applied to the area of the body to examine a gel. The radiologist places the transducer against the skin in several places, moving it over the area of interest. He could also accommodate the sound beam at an angle from a different position to better observe the area of interest.

Doppler ultrasound is performed using the same transducer.

It is generally used to look for blood clots, especially in the veins of the arms, a condition that is often called deep vein thrombosis. Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation and has no known harmful effects.

Sometimes, you can ask her not to eat or drink anything other than water for six hours before the test.

The patient should be lying on their back on an examination table that may include or move. The patient could be moved to either side to improve the quality of the images.

A radiologist places the transducer against the skin in various places, moving over the area of interest, applying it to the area of the body to examine a gel. It could also accommodate the sound beam at an angle from a different position to better observe the area of interest.

Doppler ultrasound is performed using the same transducer.

It is generally used to look for blood clots, especially in the veins in the legs, a condition that is often called deep vein thrombosis. Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation and has no known harmful effects.

Sometimes, you can ask her not to eat or drink anything other than water for six hours before the test.

The patient should be lying on their back on an examination table that may include or move. The patient could be moved to either side to improve the quality of the images.

A radiologist places the transducer against the skin in various places, moving over the area of interest, applying it to the area of the body to examine a gel. It could also accommodate the sound beam at an angle from a different position to better observe the area of interest.

Doppler ultrasound is performed using the same transducer.