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Noninvasive Vascular Testing Specialists

Northeast Ohio Vascular Associates

Vascular Surgeons located in Willoughby, OH

Northeast Ohio Vascular Associates (NEOVA), a cutting-edge vascular medical practice located in Willoughby, Ohio, features an on-site IAC certified vascular laboratory that offers comprehensive, noninvasive venous and arterial ultrasound imaging to diagnose vascular problems quickly and easily. Dr. Vikram K. Rao, and the first-rate vascular technologists at NEOVA strive to provide complete vein and artery care, including accurate and efficient diagnoses, to patients from the greater Cleveland area.

Noninvasive Vascular Testing Q & A

What is noninvasive vascular testing?

Diagnosing blood vessel diseases typically involves a comprehensive physical examination, detailed medical history, risk factor assessment, and the use of noninvasive vascular testing techniques. These painless procedures can help evaluate blood flow within the vessels and help determine if vascular disease is present, where it’s located, and how severe it is.

NEOVA has three certified vascular technologists on staff in a state-of-the-art vascular laboratory. These technologists are specially trained to perform tests that examine the blood vessels throughout the body.

Noninvasive vascular testing diagnosis aids the treatment of many blood vessel conditions, including:

  • Varicose veins
  • Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
  • Abdominal and other aneurysms
  • Carotid artery narrowing
  • Evaluation of dialysis, fistulas and grafts.

What is venous ultrasound testing?

Ultrasound testing is accomplished by using a probe to image the various blood vessels and measure the speed at which the blood flows through both the arteries and veins. The ultrasound waves are converted into both pictures and numbers.

The most common reason for ultrasound is to diagnose the causes of varicose veins, detect possible blood clots within veins, evaluate the degree of blockages and locate them within various arteries. Venous ultrasound is also used to map veins for availability prior to performing bypass or arteriovenous fistula surgery. It’s also frequently used to examine any interventions or bypasses that have been performed.

What is duplex ultrasound testing?

Duplex ultrasound testing combines ultrasound and Doppler to look at both a picture of the blood vessel and measure the speed of its blood flow. The different types of Duplex ultrasound examinations include:

  • A carotid Duplex ultrasound: To examine the arteries in the neck going to the brain
  • A renal (kidney) Duplex ultrasound: To examine blood flow to the kidneys
  • Ultrasound of the extremities: To examine the vein and arteries in the arms and legs
  • Ultrasound of the blood vessels and abdomen: To evaluate the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or abnormal artery or vein blood flow

What is arterial physiologic testing?

In addition to ultrasound testing, physiologic testing is performed to help detect the degree of blood vessel narrowing in PAD. This includes placing inflatable cuffs — much like the cuffs used to measure blood pressure — at specific locations on the arms, legs and feet. This allows for blood pressure measurement and tracings of blood pressure flow to be performed. Frequently, an ankle brachial index is used to determine the percentage of blood flow in each leg and arm.

Major Insurance Plans Accepted

At Northeast Ohio Vascular Associates, we accept most major insurance plans. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed here or if you have any questions.

Contact us!

Aetna
Anthem
CareSource
Cigna
Humana
Medicaid
Medical Mutual
Medicare
United Healthcare