UPMC Vascular Diagnostics

UPMC offers vascular diagnostic services, important for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, from stroke to the most common varicose veins. The diagnosis of vascular pathology falls within a vast and complex area of medicine, which includes invasive and non-invasive methods and which can involve various professionals. Ultrasound diagnostics (Echocolordoppler), for example, represents the first and often most effective step towards the diagnosis, and therefore the cure, of arterial and venous vascular diseases.

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UPMC offers vascular diagnostics at the following facility:

• IRCCS ISMETT – UPMC.
• UPMC Salvator Mundi International Hospital.

The Echocolordoppler: What It Is and What It Is Used For

The possibility of studying the entire arterial and venous circulation, without the need for special precautions or preparations, makes the Doppler ultrasound an essential vascular examination. In fact, the Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless diagnostic method that gives immediate and precise indications of the state of health of the arteries and veins of the upper and lower limbs, abdomen, and neck. It allows for rapid diagnosis of diseases in the acute phase and timely control of the evolution of chronic pathology.

In particular, the Echocolordoppler is indicated in the case of:

• Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and, more generally, of any arterial or venous tract.
• Chronic obstructive arteriopathies.
• Post-surgical checks (endovascular or traditional).
• Control of fistulas by hemodialysis.
• Carotid stenosis.
• Varices and venous thrombosis (phlebitis or deep vein thrombosis).

The Echocolordoppler does not use X-rays, nor does it provide any type of "invasive procedure." It is generally a quick test, with a high diagnostic power, easily repeatable, and inexpensive. Ultrasound does not require (with rare exceptions) the use of a contrast medium. If it were necessary, this has nothing to do with the contrast media used by other methods, notoriously more "difficult to dispose of" for the body.

UPMC Vascular Diagnostics Performance and Exams

At UPMC, you can undergo the following specialist examinations:

• Arterial echocolordoppler of the upper and lower limbs: To evaluate the correct flow of the peripheral territories.
• Venous echocolordoppler: This test has several purposes: to evaluate the continence of the superficial venous circulation (saphenous), to diagnose any varicose disease to be treated, even surgically, and to evaluate the patency of the deep venous circulation, allowing the timely diagnosis of thrombosis and the reduction of the risk of venous thromboembolism ( pulmonary embolism).
• Echocolordoppler of the neck vessels: Used to evaluate the possible presence of plaques that obstruct the regular blood supply to the brain. It is also indispensable in the postoperative control phases, to evaluate the effective success of the surgical treatment.
• Echocolordoppler of the abdominal aorta and of the great vessels of the abdomen: To evaluate the possible dilation of the aorta (one of the main vessels of our body). Once the caliber of the vessel has been determined, this examination can be performed as a periodic check. It is a non-invasive examination with a high diagnostic capacity.
• Echocolordoppler of the intracranial district: To study the state of the intracranial vessels and evaluate cerebral hemodynamics. It can precede or complement the study of the brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).