Vascular Surgery Program

Tests and Diagnosis

Our Non-invasive Vascular Laboratory offers state-of-the-art diagnostic services, conveniently located and affiliated with one of the most respected and progressive vascular surgery centers globally. Our location ensures that, in just one visit, patients can see a doctor, undergo a diagnostic test, and then discuss the results with the doctor.

The Non-invasive Vascular Laboratory is accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) and staffed by highly qualified and experienced vascular technologists and physicians.

Detect and Analyze Vascular Disorders

The Lab is equipped to detect and analyze virtually any known vascular disorder, drawing on the following technologies:

Aneurysm Evaluation

An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in an artery. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your body. Emory's ICVL certified vascular lab conducts the following ultrasound to examine aneurysms:

An abdominal ultrasound is used to measure the size of the abdominal aorta. The technologist applies gel to the abdomen and takes images and measurements of the aorta by moving an instrument called a transducer across the abdomen.

Arterial Evaluation

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs. When plaque builds up in the body's arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis. Over time, plaque can harden and narrow the arteries. The following are tests conducted by the Emory Vascular Surgery laboratory ICVL certified to examine the blood flow in the arms and legs:

Full-segmental testing is done with the patient lying on their back with pants, shoes, and socks removed. Blood pressure cuffs are placed on both sides of the body, at the arms, two at the thigh, two at the calf, and one at the big toe. A small doppler device is used to listen to the blood flow, blood pressure cuffs are used to get a waveform and to get pressures, and to calculate the ankle-brachial index. This index indicates how well blood is flowing to the legs.

Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) testing requires shoes and socks be removed. Cuffs are placed on the arms, the ankles, and the big toes. An ankle brachial index is determined.

Venous and Dialysis Access

Venous ultrasounds also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. The following are some conditions that require a venous ultrasound. Some of the venous ultrasounds the Emory ICVL vascular non-invasive lab can perform include:

A vein mapping/venous mapping measures the veins and arteries pre-operatively for access placement for dialysis for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

A venous duplex/venous doppler is performed to evaluate deep vein thrombosis (DVT), leg pain or swelling, reflux, and excessive varicose veins.

Make an Appointment
For more information or to make an appointment, please call 404-778-3712.