12, 10, 2023

La Jolla Vein & Vascular Arterial Exams and Vascular Lab

2023-09-29T19:28:20-07:00

La Jolla Vein & Vascular Arterial Exams and Vascular Lab

vascular lab vascular lab

When it comes to vascular health, early detection and accurate diagnosis are paramount. At our clinic, we offer a one-stop solution for vascular imaging and physician consultations, all under one roof. With a state-of-the-art non-invasive vascular laboratory, we utilize advanced imaging technology to detect and assess vascular diseases that impact blood flow in the arteries and veins. In this blog post, we’ll explore the convenience and expertise of our vascular lab, the conditions we diagnose, and the types of ultrasound testing we provide.

The Advantages of Our Vascular Laboratory

Our commitment to your vascular health extends beyond traditional healthcare. We provide a range of benefits to ensure your comfort and convenience:

  • Non-Invasive Testing: Our vascular laboratory specializes in non-invasive testing methods, ensuring a comfortable experience for our patients.
  • Same-Day Imaging Appointments: We understand the urgency of timely diagnosis. That’s why we offer same-day imaging appointments to promptly address your vascular concerns.
  • Comprehensive Care in One Location: Say goodbye to the hassle of visiting multiple locations for imaging, diagnosis, and treatment. At our clinic, you can undergo vascular imaging and consult with a healthcare provider all in the same place.
  • Comfortable, Private Rooms: Your comfort is our priority. Our private examination rooms are designed to provide a tranquil environment for your vascular tests.

Conditions We Diagnose

Our vascular laboratory is equipped to diagnose a wide range of vascular conditions, including but not limited to:

Vein Diseases:

  • Varicose Veins
  • Chronic Venous Insufficiency
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
  • Carotid Artery Disease and Stroke (TIA or Stroke)*

Artery Diseases:

  • Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)**
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
  • Upper Extremity Arterial Disease

Understanding Duplex Ultrasound

Duplex ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool used in our vascular laboratory. It combines Doppler flow information with conventional imaging (B-mode) to provide a comprehensive view of your blood vessels. Key aspects of duplex ultrasound include:

  • Structure Visualization: Duplex ultrasound allows us to see the structure of your blood vessels, including the diameter and any obstructions.
  • Blood Flow Assessment: It determines how fast blood moves through your vessels, assessing the direction of blood flow and identifying any blockages or blood clots.
  • Valve Function: The technology also examines the function of valves within your veins and arteries.
  • Deep Vein Assessment: Duplex ultrasound can visualize deep veins within the muscles, providing crucial information for diagnosing conditions like varicose veins.

Types of Ultrasound Testing Offered

Our vascular laboratory offers a variety of ultrasound testing options, including:

Direct Testing (Duplex Imaging):

  • Venous Exams for Deep Vein Thrombosis and Venous Reflux
  • Arterial Exams for Abdominal Aorta, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening, and Carotid Duplex
  • Lower Extremity Duplex

Indirect Testing (Non-Imaging):

  • Arterial Testing such as Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) with waveforms and Segmental pressures with waveforms (P&Ws) for upper or lower extremity

Venous Reflux or Venous Insufficiency Assessment

Our Duplex Ultrasound examination allows us to visualize blood vessels that are not visible to the naked eye, even deep within the muscles. This examination is crucial for assessing the underlying condition causing varicose veins. By identifying veins with faulty valves and mapping their anatomy, we create a roadmap for an accurate assessment and an effective treatment plan.

Before Your Test

Preparing for our ultrasound study is simple. Just remember these key points:

  • No preparation is required for this study.
  • Avoid wearing compression stockings on the same day as the examination.
  • Stay hydrated for the best experience.

Our vascular laboratory is dedicated to providing you with top-notch vascular imaging services in a convenient and comfortable environment. By offering non-invasive testing, same-day appointments, and a comprehensive approach to vascular health, we aim to ensure your well-being and peace of mind. Trust us with your vascular concerns, and let us help you on your journey to better health.

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Amanda Steinberger, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link, and our website https://ljvascular.com

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency,

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

For more blogs and educational content, please check out our clinic’s blog posts!

La Jolla Vein & Vascular Arterial Exams and Vascular Lab2023-09-29T19:28:20-07:00

7, 12, 2022

Uterine Artery Embolization (UFE) vs. Hysterectomy

2022-10-24T15:33:14-07:00

Benefits of UFE Over Hysterectomy

UFE is a minimally invasive procedure that is effective for treating uterine fibroids and is considered an alternative to uterine fibroid surgery removal. UFE is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, which means that most women go home the same day for recovery.

UFE has several benefits over hysterectomy. Besides involving only a small nick in the groin or wrist for catheter insertion, the uterus is preserved. There is no scar with UFE. For a UFE, conscious sedation is used, unlike for a hysterectomy, where the woman receives general anesthesia. The recovery time for UFE is generally within 2 weeks, which is significantly faster than the usual 6-week recovery time after hysterectomy.

Women who have a hysterectomy that remove both the uterus and ovaries usually just get estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) alone. But women who have only the ovaries removed need both estrogen and progestin because estrogen alone can increase the risk of cancer in the uterus.

The recovery time for UFE is generally within 2 weeks, which is significantly faster than the usual 6-week recovery time after hysterectomy.

The idea of having your entire uterus removed is psychologically daunting for women as some women may still want the option to carry a child, do not want to undergo a general surgery and/or feel like removing the uterus takes away part of their identity as a female.

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

 

Uterine Artery Embolization (UFE) vs. Hysterectomy2022-10-24T15:33:14-07:00

5, 4, 2020

What Leg Venous Vein Ultrasound Can Uncover About Your Veins

2021-12-31T13:46:54-08:00

Most vein disease is not visible to the naked eye.

What Leg Vein Ultrasound Can Uncover About Your Veins: blood clots and leaky valves

Leg Vein Ultrasound

We can see beneath the surface of the skin with ultrasound. Duplex ultrasound combines Doppler flow information and conventional imaging information, sometimes called B-mode, to allow physicians to see the structure of your blood vessels. Duplex ultrasound uses sound waves to get images of your blood vessels.  It also helps determine how fast blood moves through the vessels. It can also be useful to estimate the diameter of a blood vessel as well as the amount of obstruction, if any, in the blood vessel. Using duplex ultrasound technology, the structure of your blood vessels, the valve function, the movement of your red blood cells, and the direction of blood flow through the vessels, any blockages, blood clots, and leaky valves can be seen.

Venous Reflux (leaky valves)

Duplex ultrasound of the leg veins

Ultrasounds of the leg veins that look for leaky valves (venous reflux) are usually performed in the standing position.

The Duplex Ultrasound examination allows us to visualize the blood vessels that are not visible to the naked eye, even blood vessels that are deep within the muscles.  Ultrasound looks at deep and superficial veins in the legs to check for venous reflux or venous-valvular incompetence (the underlying condition that causes varicose veins). The ultrasound examination is used to both identify the veins that have faulty valves and to map the anatomy of the veins, creating a ‘road map.’  This is necessary to make an accurate assessment of the cause and extent of the varicose veins, as well as to formulate the best treatment plan.  This should be done for any individual being evaluated for varicose veins, leg swelling, patients who have failed prior treatment, patients who are symptomatic, and in some patients with certain anatomic patterns of spider veins.

Before your test:

This study does not require any preparation. You should not wear your compression stockings the same day as the examination.  Make sure to be hydrated.

How long does it take?

An ultrasound only checking for blood clots typically takes less than 30 minutes. An ultrasound that looks at both the deep and superficial veins including mapping is less than 60 minutes, the part of this exam that checks if the valves are leaky is performed in the standing position.

What Leg Venous Vein Ultrasound Can Uncover About Your Veins2021-12-31T13:46:54-08:00
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