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Our state-of-the-art vascular laboratory offers the full spectrum of non-invasive diagnostic modalities for the detection of vascular disease. We perform physiologic testing for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) including measurement of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) with segmental pressures/pulse volume recordings and exercise treadmill testing. In addition, we perform arterial duplex ultrasonography of the carotid arteries, lower-, and upper-extremity arteries, the aorta and renal arteries, as well as venous ultrasonography of the upper and lower extremities.
Our lab is accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for Vascular Testing, which means that the lab meets the highest standards of quality patient care and monitoring.
One of our fastest growing services, our lab performs over 1,800 vascular studies annually.
Vascular Disease is the term given to disorders of the blood vessels in the body that interfere with the normal flow of blood. Two of the main types of vascular disease are aneurysmaldisease and obstructivedisease.
In aneurysmal vascular disease, the wall of a weakened blood vessel balloons out. This can lead to the formation of blood clots, especially in the legs, or even rupture. Obstructive vascular disease is the disruption of the normal flow of blood through the blood vessels usually as a result of atherosclerosis, the accumulation of fatty plaque in the walls of arteries. Patients with atherosclerosis are at increased risk for stroke and heart attack.
Coronary artery disease occurs when atherosclerosis blocks the arteries that carry blood to the heart. However, atherosclerosis can occur in anyof the blood vessels in the body. In fact, a significant number of patients with coronary artery disease also suffer from peripheral artery disease (PAD)—narrowing of arteries that carry blood to other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, the legs, or the arms; or carotid artery disease—narrowing of the carotid arteries, which carry blood to the brain.
Some common symptoms of PAD include a painful muscle cramping in the hips, thighs or calves when walking, climbing stairs or exercising. Often patients dismiss leg pain as a normal sign of aging, which may contribute to why PAD is one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated conditions. A key indicator is that PAD pain occurs in the muscles, not the joints.
The Vascular Medicine Service at Weill Cornell Cardiology provides diagnostic and treatment options to our heart patients with carotid artery disease and peripheral vascular disease.
The vascular diagnostic laboratory offers a number of non-invasive tests, including
Measurement of the Ankle-Brachial Index with Pulse volume recordings
This painless, non-invasive method is often used as the initial screening for peripheral arterial disease. Using standard blood pressure cuffs and a special stethoscope, blood pressure is measured in the arms and legs to determine how well blood flows through the vessels.
A treadmill exercise test may also be performed. During this test, the patient walks on a treadmill until a symptom appears. Once this happens, the blood pressures are measured again. This test is useful to determine the severity of the blockages in the leg arteries and may also be used to differentiate symptoms of vascular disease from other causes of leg pain.
This noninvasive procedure uses ultrasound to produce images of a blood vessel and to provide information on the speed with which blood travels through the vessel. Weill Cornell offers the most advanced ultrasound testing for vascular disease, including:
Angiograms for further evaluation
If obstructive vascular disease has been identified with these non-invasive tests, your physician may recommend an angiogram. An angiogram is an invasive test that is performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. A thin tube, called a catheter, is inserted into the groin and is led to the affected site. A dye is then introduced through the tube to allow the blockage to be visualized and evaluated prior to treatment.
To schedule an appointment please call: 646-962-4733
Please have your referring physician complete the Vascular Lab Order Form.pdf.
Faculty | Title | Phone | ||
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Richard B. Devereux, M.D. |
Professor of Medicine, Director Adult Echocardiography Laboratory | 646-962-4733 | Full Profile |
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Nupoor Narula, M.D. M.S. |
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Director Cardiology Vascular Laboratory, Director Women's Heart Program | 646-962-4733 | Full Profile |
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Mary J. Roman, M.D. |
Professor of Medicine | 646-962-4733 | Full Profile |