Arterial Ultrasound (arms and legs)

When patients experience leg pain while either walking or while resting, an assessment of the arteries in the legs may be necessary. An arterial ultrasound uses sound waves to look at the arteries and map them out in color to identify narrowing that is slowing down the blood flow. Other symptoms that are assessed with arterial ultrasounds are skin ulcers or discoloration.

The technologists, nurses, and physicians at Stanislaus Cardiology are experts in obtaining and reading ultrasound imaging using our state-of-the-art equipment.

No special preparation is needed for an arterial ultrasound. The procedure is performed with the patient lying on an examination table on their back with their hands at the sides or on the stomach. Warm gel is applied to the arms or legs to help transmit the sound waves. The technician then moves a transducer over various places to create the pictures. The transducer is a small handheld device that looks like a microphone. Although there may be pressure from a blood pressure cuff and the feeling of the transducer being run over the skin, the ultrasound is painless.

Sound waves are sent from the transducer into the muscles and tissues of the body. The sound bounces back to the transducer and is used to create pictures on the computer screen. The sound from the machine may be strange as you listen to the blood flowing through the extremity.

The images are available immediately for interpretation.