Peripheral Vascular System Flashcards
Which vascular system should be examined first?
Examine venous system before arterial because venous insufficiency can invalidate some arterial tests
A therapist performs the percussion test in an effort to test venous circulation. What vein is being tested with the percussion test?
Percussion test: determines competence of greater saphenous vein
Describe how to perform the percussion test.
- In standing, palpate one segment of vein
- Percussion vein 20 cm higher
- If pulse wave felt by lower hand, the intervening valves are incompetent
Trendelenburg test (retrograde filling test) is used to determine?
Determines competence of communicating veins and saphenous system
Describe the trendelenburg (retrograde filling test) for Peripheral venous circulation
- Supine with legs elevated to 60 degrees (empties venous blood)
- Tourniquet is placed on proximal thigh (occludes flow in superficial veins)
- patient stands
- How long does it take for veins to fill. Should take about 30 seconds
Describe venous filling time test
- Supine, with LE PASSIVELY elevated to 45 degrees for 1 minute
- Place in dependent position
- Delayed filling (>15 seconds) is indicative of venous insufficiency
what diagnostic tool can be used to assess venous/arterial refilling
Doppler
List the tests for peripheral arterial circulation
- Ankle brachia index (ABI)
- Rubor of dependency
- Examine Intermittent claudication
Describe how to conduct ABI
- Pt left in supine for 5 minutes
- Take BP on UE at brachial artery
- Take BP on LE at posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries
What is a clinical significant change for ABI?
> 0.15 or > 0.10 in patients with symptoms
Describe the rubor of dependency test.
- Examine skin changes during elevation and then followed by dependency
Positive rubor of dependence indicates insufficiency. What would a positive test look like?
Pallor develops in elevated position; reactive hyperemia (rubor of dependency) develops in dependent position
