Duplex/Color Flow imaging (UE) Flashcards
Capabilities of duplex/color flow imaging?
- localize stenosis / occlusion; evaluate degree of stenosis
- determine the presence/absence of aneurysm
- post-op study: hemodialysis access or arterial bypass graft
- detect AVF’s or other unusual abnormality
Limitations of duplex/color flow imaging?
- limited access to extremity
Limitations pertaining to hemodialysis access grafts:
- graft angulation
- difficult to adequately evaluate the outflow vein in an obese patient
Patient positioning for duplex/color flow imaging:
- supine with small pillow under head
- extremity close to the examiner
- arm is at a 45 degree angle from the body and externally rotated
What is a “pledged positition”
arm is at a 45 degree angle from the body and externally rotated
Duplex scanning physical principles:
- combination of real-time B-mode imaging and doppler spectral analysis
Doppler color flow imaging physical principles:
- doppler information is displayed on image after evaluated for phase (direction toward or away from transducer) and its frequency content (hue or shade of color)
What is the sample size for acquiring pulsed Doppler information?
1-1.5 mm
- size can be increased if needed
What transducer is used for duplex/color flow imaging?
7 or 5 MHz linear array transducer
Color/duplex scanning is also used to evaluate what arteries?
- Subclavian
- Axillary
- Brachial
- Radial
- Ulnar
- Palmar arch (if needed)
What is the main use for evaluation of duplex/color flow imaging in the upper extremity?
evaluate dialysis access grafts
Is it common for upper extremity arteries to become stenotic?
no
A patent dialysis access, as well as a stenotic one can produce what?
a “thrill”
How do you evaluate dialysis access grafts?
- Inflow artery
- Arterial anastomosis
- Continue through the body of the graft
- Observe for aneurysm, puncture sites, peri-graft fluid
- If color is available, observe flow changes, turbulence, flow channel changes
- Venous anastomosis
- Outflow veing
Dialysis access assessment sites include:
inflow artery, anastomosis, outflow artery