Peripheral Arterial Examination

This test is to provide information about plaque that can build up inside the arteries of your legs or arms.

By placing a special probe on your legs/arms, the vascular technologist examines the amount of blockage being caused by the plaque.

Using this information your medical care giver can make specific recommendation about any further testing or procedures that may follow the examination.

The exam consists of the patient laying down on a table and exposing the legs/arms. The technician will then place a water based gel on the areas that he/she will need to examine. At various times during the exam you may hear noise that sounds like your heart beat. This is actually the blood moving through the artery being examined at that point in your test. Both right and left legs/arms will be examined. The arteries in your abdomen may also be examined based on your symptoms.

You may be asked to walk or perform toe raises to evaluate your legs when they are under the stress of exercise.

Blood pressures are taken in the arms, ankles and toes when your legs are being examined.

The time the exam takes is different for each person, but you can expect about one hour for the exam.

There are several reasons your medical care giver may request this examination. The following are examples of these symptoms:

• Plaque already diagnosed within your arteries
• Bruit    (Hearing a sound in your legs/arms with a stethoscope)
• Numbness or Discoloration in your legs/toes/arms
• Pain or cramping in your legs when you walk or exercise
• Pain or numbness in your toes or feet when you are lying flat
• Difficulty feeling pulses in your legs/arms
• Ulcerations on your feet or legs

To see the arteries the technician will be examining look at Peripheral Arterial Examination.

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