Vascular Tests and Imaging

You can rely on UnityPoint Health – Peoria for quick and accurate vascular tests and imaging. Our team uses advanced imaging and screenings to diagnose and monitor vascular diseases. You also get a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs and overall health.

Screenings for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 

We screen for abdominal aortic aneurysm with a simple ultrasound of your abdomen. This test checks for swelling or a bulge in the aorta. An ultrasound uses sound waves to take pictures of the inside of your body. 

Medicare-approved abdominal aortic aneurysm screenings

We work with our primary care practices to provide screenings for people considered at risk for AAA. The screening is an ultrasound in your doctor's office at scheduled days and times.

Our vascular specialists work with your doctor to determine next steps and a treatment plan if you need it. These Medicare-approved AAA screenings are for:

• People with a family history of aneurysm
• Men ages 65–75 who have smoked 100 or more cigarettes in their lifetime

Ultrasound and Doppler Studies

Vascular ultrasound tests use sound waves to create pictures of the inside of your body. Doppler ultrasound allows us to study the movement of blood in the veins and arteries. We can look at blood flow in various parts of the body with:

• Arterial Doppler studies, which measure blood flow in the arms and legs using a blood pressure cuff
• Carotid Doppler studies, which look at blood flow in the carotid arteries in the neck
• Venous Doppler studies that examine blood flow in the veins in the legs

Angiography

Also called an arteriogram or angiogram, angiography is a study of blood vessels. During this test, we inject a special dye into the veins or arteries using a catheter (thin tube). The dye shows up on a video X-ray, letting your doctor see the inside of your artery or vein. Angiography tests we use include carotid angiography and vascular angiography.

Angiography lets us examine blood vessels in the arms, legs, kidneys and abdomen to look for:

• Narrowed or blocked blood vessels
• Changes in blood flow
• Other issues, including an aneurysm

We also perform CT angiography tests, which do not use a catheter. During CT angiography tests, we may inject dye into your bloodstream using an IV. The dye shows up on the scanner, which can make 2D or 3D pictures of your blood vessels. This noninvasive version of angiography doesn't require any recovery time.

MRI

An MRI uses magnets to create highly detailed 2D or 3D pictures of arteries and veins. We can use MRI to diagnose aneurysm, stroke, PAD and other vascular conditions. 

Ankle Brachial Index Screening 

This quick and painless test assesses your risk for peripheral vascular disease (PAD). We put blood pressure cuffs on your arm and ankles. We then calculate the difference between the blood pressure at your ankles and the brachial artery in the upper arm. This calculation tells us if you are at risk for PAD. If you are, we'll recommend follow-up care with one of our vascular specialists. 

Contact Us

Find a vascular specialist. Or, for more information, connect with a member of our vascular team by calling us: 309-643-6118.