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Colorado Vascular Ultrasound Services

Many ultrasonographers are generalists and do everything from babies to gallbladders. However, our vascular laboratory technicians are specially trained specifically in vascular ultrasound and are certified as Registered Vascular Technologists (RVT) with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Many of our technicians also maintain the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential in abdominal testing and in Obstetrics/Gynecology testing elevating the quality of abdominal vascular studies. Our vascular laboratory also maintains accreditation with the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in peripheral arterial testing, peripheral venous testing and extracranial cerebrovascular testing and completes routine quality assurance reviews to ensure the highest standards in vascular ultrasound. 

Vascular Ultrasound Services: 

  • Same day rule out of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) due to a sudden onset of leg pain and/or swelling. 
  • Venous Reflux/Insufficiency due to varicose veins, leg swelling, darkening of skin in the lower calves/ankles, leg achiness/heaviness, spider veins, non-healing ulcers on the lower calves. 
  • Iliocaval Duplex to rule out iliac vein compression/stenosis. Patient may present with persistent unilateral leg swelling and/or deep vein thrombosis of one leg. 
  • Pelvic Reflux resulting in painful/heavy periods, labial/groin varicose veins, pain during and/or after intercourse, pelvic pain and multiple term pregnancies.  
  • Carotid Duplex for patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), weakness, numbness or tingling in the fingers, toes, hands, feet or face, slurred speech or difficulty speaking, facial droop. 
  • Aortoiliac Duplex for patients with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), abdominal bruit on physical exam or a history of smoking. 
  • Mesenteric Duplex as a result of postprandial pain (pain after eating). 
  • Renal Doppler for patients with uncontrollable hypertension and renal failure. 
  • Raynaud’s Phenomenon which results in cold sensitivity of the fingers or toes, red/white/blue discoloration of the fingers or toes. 
  • Lower Extremity Arterial Duplex for patients with claudication (leg muscle cramps with walking or exercising), non-healing ulcers on the feet and/or toes, diabetes, history of smoking, decreased pedal pulses on physical exam, gangrene of the lower extremity and cold feet. 
  • Upper Extremity Arterial Duplex (usually done in conjunction with a segmental pressures/pulse volume recording/ABI) for patients with cold hands, decreased radial/ulnar pulse on physical exam or arterial thoracic outlet syndrome. 
  • Segmental Pressure/Pulse Volume Recording/Ankle Brachial Index usually done in conjunction with a lower extremity arterial duplex – (claudication – leg muscle cramps when walking/exercising, history of smoking, diabetes, non-healing ulcers on the feet and/or toes, decreased pedal pulses on physical exam, gangrene of the lower extremity, cold foot. 
  • Dialysis Access Fistula to assess for maturation, difficulty or inability to cannulate for dialysis, failed dialysis treatment or absent thrill on physical exam. 
  • New Dialysis Access Fistula Placement for patients needing a dialysis access fistula placed for dialysis treatment or previously failed dialysis access fistula. 

Vascular Ultrasound Screenings: 

  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 
  • Carotid 
  • Ankle Brachial Index 

Vascular Institute of the Rockies offers two convenient locations for ultrasound services:  

  • Denver (4105 E. Florida Ave., Suite 200, Denver, CO 80222) and Aurora (1390 S. Potomac St., Suite 110).  
  • Same day appointments with called results for emergent cases (i.e. rule out DVT, ischemic limb). Ultrasound services can be used independent of providers.