Peripheral Arterial Scan OR Peripheral Venous Scan

Exam Time: 30-90 minutes
Exam Price: €160.00 (Medical card: €140.00)
Add second extremity (leg, arm) €60

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The term vascular refers to the blood vessels. Therefore, vascular ultrasound imaging refers to the examination of the body’s circulatory system. This scan studies the speed and volume of blood flow using the Doppler phenomenon. This scan also examines arteries for atherosclerotic disease.

Areas to be examined are as follows:

  • DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis ( blood clot ) in arms or legs or
  • Arteries for flow limiting stenosis (usually leg arteries)

Medical ultrasound scans are currently the most widely used imaging technique in the diagnosis of vascular disease. It can sometimes be used as a stand alone examination. Indications for ultrasound of the peripheral arteries or veins is for swollen legs or arms sometimes caused by a blood clot. Pain in the legs after walking a certain distance is sometimes caused by reduced arterial blood flow to the legs by disease (intermittent claudication). The patient is lying down on an examination table for this examination. 

Note: Be prepared to spend at least 30 to 60 minutes at the clinic for this test. It depends on whether one or both extremities are being assessed.

Price: €160.00

Medical Card: €140.00

Contact Us Today To Schedule Peripheral Arterial and Venous Ultrasound Screening: 01 210 0232

Peripheral Arterial FAQs

Do I need an appointment?

Yes, ultrasound exams do need an appointment. If you cannot attend your appointment we appreciate it if you can give 24 hours notice.

Do I need a referral letter from my GP to book a scan?

Not always. Often you can attend without a GP referral; however, depending on the ultrasound scan requested, we may require a referral from your GP to ensure the correct ultrasound examination is performed.

What is the preparation for a peripheral arterial scan?

There is no preparation for this exam however trousers will need to be removed for the exam to evaluate the legs or your shirt may need to be removed if the arm is the area of concern.

What arteries are viewed in the peripheral arterial scan?

During this examination, we evaluate common femoral, superficial, and deep femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries in the right or left leg or both if indicated.

What can a peripheral arterial ultrasound see?

The peripheral arterial ultrasound can identify and measure the amount of plaque and assess whether blood flow to the arteries in the legs is compromised by a narrowing or stenosis.

What happens during the peripheral arterial scan?

The sonographer will have you remove your trousers and lay on the bed facing up. A transducer/camera is placed on the leg starting at the junction of the leg and hip and the sonographer will scan the leg down to the foot on each side. During the exam you may hear a noise like a heartbeat, this is the pulse or arterial blood flow within the legs called Doppler ultrasound.

Peripheral Venous Scan FAQs

What veins are viewed in the peripheral venous scan?

During a lower extremity venous ultrasound we evaluate common femoral, greater saphenous, superficial and deep femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, peroneal, and anterior tibial veins in the right and left leg. We can assess superficial thrombophlebitis as well if indicated.

If the arm/upper extremity is the area of concern we will assess the subclavian, axillary, brachial, basilic, cephalic, radial and ulnar veins.

What can a Peripheral venous ultrasound see?

A peripheral venous ultrasound can identify if there are any deep or superficial blood clots and assess the quality of the blood flow within the deep veins.

What happens during the Peripheral venous scan?

The sonographer will have you remove your trousers and lay on the bed facing up. A transducer/camera is placed on the leg starting at the junction of the leg and hip and the sonographer will scan the leg down to the ankle on each side. The sonographer will also have to push down on the leg in various locations to assess the compressibility of the veins. During the exam you may hear a noise that sounds like waves or wind, this is the venous blood flow within the legs.

How long will the exam take?

The scheduled time for this exam is usually 30 minutes - 45 minutes for both legs.

Who will report my vascular exam?

After the sonographer has completed your exam the images will be sent to a Consultant Radiologist who will report your scan.

Do I need a referral letter from my GP to book a scan?

Not always. Often you can attend without a GP referral; however, depending on the ultrasound scan requested, we may require a referral from your GP to ensure the correct ultrasound examination is performed.

When will I receive my results?

You will get verbal results from the sonographer at the end of the examination however it is up to the radiologist to make a final report. The formal report will be sent to your GP which may take 24 to 48 hours. If you are self-referred it may also take 24 to 48 hours for you to receive the formal report by email. If there are urgent findings the process will be expedited and faxed to your GP within 24 hours.