Curing Diabetes

To diagnose peripheral vascular disease, the physician may use Doppler ultrasonography, plethysmography, or arteriography.Doppler ultrasonography, a noninvasive test, evaluates how fast blood flows through an artery and confirms arterial occlusion. This test uses a transducer to direct high-frequency sound waves toward the artery that’s being evaluated. When the sound waves strike red blood cells (RBes) moving through the artery, they’re reflected to the transducer. The frequency with which the sound waves are reflected indicates the speed and strength of the blood flow. The sound waves are amplified and then recorded.

To localize an occlusion, blood pressure readings are taken at the thigh, calf, and ankle of the affected leg during Doppler ultrasonography. If the systolic blood pressure at one of these sites is more than 20 mm Hg lower than the brachial systolic blood pressure, arterial occlusion probably exists at or near the site.

Plethysmography detects blood volume and pressure in a limb using a plethysmograph (a pulse volume recorder). It’s especially useful when blood vessels are calcified. During plethysmography, blood pressure is measured at the thigh, calf, and ankle. If the systolic blood pressure at one of these sites is more than 20 mm Hg lower than the brachial systolic blood pressure, arterial occlusion probably exists at or near the site. While blood pressure is measured, the plethysmograph displays the blood flow as sound waves on a strip, similar to an ECG tracing. Decreased amplitude in the sound waves indicates arterial occlusion

Filed under: Chronic Complications