Arterial Duplex Ultrasound Scan - Legs

Your doctor has requested an ultrasound of the arteries (vessels that carry blood from your heart) in your leg(s). Ultrasound is a procedure that uses sound waves to "see" inside your body. This procedure uses color to map the arteries in your leg(s) to identify narrowing of your vessels that may be causing leg pain when walking, resting leg pain, foot, ankle, heel or toe ulcers, or skin discoloration. At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center we have an expert team of physicians, nurses and technologists who are highly trained in ultrasound imaging.

Before Your Exam

There is no preparation for this procedure.
We want to make your waiting time as pleasant as possible. Consider bringing your favorite magazine, book or music player to help you pass the time.
Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home.

During Your Exam

The vascular technologist will explain your exam and answer any questions you may have.

Your procedure will be performed with you lying on the examination table on your back with your hands at your sides or on your stomach.

The technologist will apply warm gel to your leg(s).

A transducer, a small, microphone-like device, will be placed over various locations on your leg(s).

Additionally, blood pressure readings will be taken of your ankles. You will not feel any pain; however you will feel mild pressure from the blood-pressure cuff and the transducer.

Soundwaves will bounce off the muscle and tissue in your body and off the blood moving in your arteries. This creates "echoes." The echoes are reflected back to the transducer. A television monitor shows images as the transducer converts the echoes to electronic signals.

These images may be viewed immediately, or photographed for further study.

You will hear unusual sounds as the technologist views and records the blood flowing through the veins and arteries in your leg(s).

Your exam will take approximately 60 minutes; however, in some cases you will be asked to do some mild exercises. If so, this procedure can take longer.

The vascular technologist will explain your exam and answer any questions you may have.
Your procedure will be performed with you lying on the examination table on your back with your hands at your sides or on your stomach.
The technologist will apply warm gel to your leg(s).
A transducer, a small, microphone-like device, will be placed over various locations on your leg(s).
You blood pressure will be taken at both your foot and your arm.
You will not feel any pain; however you will feel mild pressure from the transducer and blood-pressure cuff.
Soundwaves will bounce off the muscle tissue in your leg(s) and the blood moving in your arteries and graft. This creates "echoes." The echoes are reflected back to the transducer. A television monitor shows images as the transducer converts the echoes to electronic signals.
These images may be viewed immediately, or photographed for further study.
Additionally, you may hear unusual sounds as the technologist views and records the blood flowing through the veins and arteries in your leg(s).
Your exam will take approximately 30 minutes.

After Your Exam

There are no post-exam instructions.
Your study will be reviewed by a vascular surgeon and the results sent to your physician. Your physician will discuss these results with you and explain what they mean in relation to your health.
If you have any problems related to your procedure, please call (310) 423-8000.
To request a copy of your report, call (310) 423-8000.

Parking Information

Valet parking is available in front of the Imaging center from 7:30am-5:00pm.

For self parking, please enter parking lot P4, located at the corner of San Vicente Blvd. and 3rd Street. The entrance is on San Vicente Blvd.

If you are arriving after 5:00pm, please park in parking lot P1, located off of George Burns Rd. between Beverly Blvd. and Alden Dr. The entrance is off of George Burns Rd.

Partially validated parking at a cost of $4.00 is provided to our imaging patients for valet and self parking in the lots mentioned above.

Please Note: We do not validate for parking lots in the Medical Office Towers located at 8631 and 8635 W. 3rd St.