If you think you are having an issue with your heart, arteries or veins, comprehensive diagnostic testing is the first step to knowing the problem and creating a treatment program that best suits your needs.
At University of Michigan Health, we offer full-service cardiovascular diagnostics with the latest equipment and a credentialed staff so your tests are performed properly and read correctly, all with a quick turnaround.
Our full range of diagnostic services includes the types of tests below. More details about each type of test are below the lists.
Make an Appointment for Diagnostic Testing: To make an appointment to schedule your ordered testing, call the number below for your desired service.
- Diagnostic Vascular Unit: 734-232-4385
- Echocardiogram Lab: 734-232-4385
- EKG Lab: 734-232-4385
- Radiology: 734-936-4500
For general cardiovascular appointment information, contact our call center at 888-287-1082. Visit our Make an Appointment page for more details about making an appointment and about what to expect when you call us.
Cardiac catheterization is a heart test using soft, thin plastic catheters to take pressure measurements inside the heart and to inject dye so pictures of the heart can be taken. It is performed prior to angioplasty to identify blockages.
Ultrasound:
- Vascular Ultrasound
- Cerebrovascular Ultrasound: Carotid Ultrasound, Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound
- Peripheral Venous Ultrasound: Venous Ultrasound, Venous Insufficiency Ultrasound
- Abdominal Vascular Ultrasound: Renal Artery, Aorta/Iliac Ultrasound, Mesenteric Ultrasound, IVC Duplex Imaging
Specialty Exams:
- Thoracic Outlet
- Giant Cell Arteritis/Upper Extremity Arteritis
- Pelvic Venous
- TcPO2
- Pediatric Studies
- Popliteal Entrapment
Peripheral Arterial Exams:
- Lower arterial Doppler/Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)
- Upper arterial Doppler
- Arterial Duplex
Other Cardiovascular Diagnostic Tests:
- Echocardiography
- Electrocardiogram
- Pulmonary testing
- Stress testing
Ultrasound
Vascular Ultrasound
Vascular ultrasound: A noninvasive, safe procedure which uses soundwaves to produce an image. This exam requires the use of a water-based gel, transducer and an ultrasound machine. The transducer sends soundwaves into the body and interprets the echo of sound waves returned back, producing an image which is display on the machine. Ultrasound exams are generally painless and each exam varies in the length of time to perform. Once the exam is complete, your images are combined with a preliminary report that is interpreted by a physician certified in vascular ultrasound interpretation. Final results are available to your physician within 24 – 48 hours.
Cerebrovascular Ultrasound
Carotid ultrasound: Examines the arteries in the front of the neck to check the blood flow within the arteries and evaluate plaque which may cause blockage in the artery. The exam is commonly done as a pre-op exam to reduce risk of stroke. Blood flow is also evaluated in the vertebral arteries along the back of the neck for direction of blood flow. These measurements can be used to detect blockages of blood vessels in the chest.
Transcranial Doppler ultrasound: Used to image the arteries within the brain to identify the rate and direction of blood flow in major blood vessels. Ultrasound gel and a transducer are placed on the area of the temple. This exam is generally done while patients are in the hospital after suffering subarachnoid hemorrhage. The bedside test can be easily and painlessly performed to help quickly diagnose in the setting of suspected bleeding or clotting events involving the brain.
Peripheral Venous Ultrasound
Venous ultrasound: Commonly done on the legs checking for DVT (deep venous thrombosis), or blood clots. This exam is fairly painless; however, some slight pressure will be applied to assess for blood clots. The veins that are imaged for this exam include all veins in the leg starting in the pelvis and groin and ending at the ankle. This exam can also be done on the upper extremity. Upper extremity venous ultrasound is commonly done on patients who have peripheral IV (intravenous) lines or PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) lines who have arm pain or swelling.
Venous insufficiency: This exam is very similar to the lower extremity venous ultrasound. It studies the deep and superficial (closer to the skin) veins to check the venous valve function. Varicose veins and long-term leg swelling are common reasons for this exam. A venous insufficiency ultrasound generally takes over 1 hour to complete and you may be asked to stand for portions of the exam. You will also be asked to perform breathing maneuvers to help assess the valves.
Specialty Exams
Thoracic outlet: This involves testing arterial blood flow to the upper extremities. The sonographer has the patient go through a series of maneuvers that will test whether the blood vessels traveling through the chest to the arm are compressed by the collarbone and ribcage.
Giant Cell Arteritis/Upper extremity arteritis: A dedicated high frequency ultrasound probe is used to visualize the very small arteries in the neck and face. This test can quickly determine if a patient has inflammation of the arteries that requires treatment to avoid further damage and loss of vision. The study can also be performed on the vessels of the chest and upper extremities if these vessels are suspected to be involved. These studies can be performed simultaneously to ensure that the patient receives comprehensive evaluation.
Pelvic Venous: Over a 90-minute exam period, sonographers evaluate blood flow to the deep veins of the abdomen and pelvis, evaluating the health of previously placed stents, varicose veins in the pelvis, and narrowing of veins involved in drainage of the legs and kidneys.
TcPO2: An efficient, state of the art method to evaluate the oxygenation status of the leg tissue. It is primarily used to maximize the amount of tissue preserved in patients with wounds and poor blood flow to the legs.
Pediatric studies: When the diagnosis of blood clot or congenital narrowing of the major arteries (aorta, kidney) is suspected, our sonographers use completely non-invasive techniques to establish a diagnosis.
Popliteal entrapment: In this study, patients are asked to perform specific maneuvers with their legs to test whether the blood flow to the leg is compromised from repetitive, athletic activity. This test may involve walking, running or other movements to replicate exactly the patients’ symptoms.
Peripheral Arterial Exams
Lower Arterial Doppler/Ankle Brachial Index (ABI): Noninvasive exam that uses blood pressure cuffs and a Doppler probe to check the arteries in the legs. This exam is commonly ordered if you experience pain in your legs while walking, or are diabetic. Cuffs will be placed on the arms, ankles and toes. The test may also require cuff placement/pressures in the thigh and calf and may be slightly uncomfortable due increased pressure requirement to compress the large thigh muscles. If your physician orders an exercise exam you will be asked to walk on a treadmill at a slow pace.
About the Diagnostic Vascular Ultrasound Lab
Our noninvasive Diagnostic Vascular Ultrasound Labs are full-service and accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories, performing approximately 30,000 studies annually. We test for diseases and conditions affecting the arteries and veins of the circulatory system. Patients get same-day testing for emergency studies — usually within four hours of request. Non-emergency tests take place between 24-36 hours after request. Seven convenient testing locations are available.
We offer a variety of vascular ultrasound, Doppler, and plethysmography studies such as:
- Carotid duplex exams to check the carotid arteries for narrowing or blockage
- Venous exams for both lower and upper extremities to look for blood clots
- Arterial studies, both duplex and physiological testing, to check blood flow
- Abdominal aortic scans for aortic aneurysms and flow
- Abdominal vascular exams, including renal and mesenteric arteries
- Transcranial Doppler studies to assess intracranial blood flow
Our staff:
- Our 25 sonographers are all registered vascular technologists or specialists, the most advanced designation.
- Many of our sonographers have undergone subspecialty training in unique areas such as arteritis imaging and pelvic venous disease.
To see a list of all of our Diagnostic Vascular Ultrasound Labs visit our Cardiovascular Diagnostics Locations page.
About the Echocardiography Laboratory
The Echocardiography Laboratory performs over 40,000 echocardiographic studies per year. These are performed using state-of-the-art equipment at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, the University of Michigan Hospital, and several U-M Health ambulatory care clinics. Echocardiographic procedures performed include:
- Transthoracic echocardiography
- Transesophageal echocardiography
- Stress echocardiography
- Advanced echocardiographic imaging techniques including strain imaging and 3-D echocardiography
Echocardiographic studies are interpreted by U-M Health cardiology faculty with expertise in echocardiography.
Make an Appointment
To make an appointment to discuss your need for diagnostic testing, call us at 888-287-1082, or visit our Make an Appointment page for more information about what to expect when you call us.