HOW are Screening Exams Performed?
• CAROTID ARTERY SCREENING AND ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (AAA) SCREENING For these tests, you will lie on your back on an exam table. The Vascular Sonographer will apply a small amount of ultrasound gel to your abdomen and/or neck. An ultrasound transducer is moved painlessly over the area to acquire images and assess blood flow. For the abdominal screening (AAA), we ask that you fast for six hours prior to your test and eat a light meal the night before. You may take your medications on your regular schedule with water. For the carotid artery exam there is no preparation needed-just wear a loose, open-collar shirt or blouse. • PERIPHERAL ARTERY SCREENING For this test, you will remove your shoes and socks/stockings and lie on your back on an exam table. The Vascular Sonographer will use blood pressure cuffs and a special Doppler ultrasound transducer to measure the pressures in each arm and in the arteries of both ankles. A mathematic calculation of these pressures, called an Ankle Br
