Have you talked to a doctor about the pain and numbness that you sometimes feel in your legs? Or, are you a little suspicious about the blood circulation in your legs? If so, your doctor may have told you about a test called Pulse Volume Recording (PVR) . Today, we'll talk in detail about what this actually is, how it's done, and whether there's anything to be afraid of. It's very simple, so don't worry, okay?
What is Pulse Volume Recording (PVR)?
Simply put, a Pulse Volume Recording (PVR) test is a method of measuring the blood flow in your legs, or blood circulation. It uses ultrasound technology. This means that it uses high-frequency sound waves to look at the blood flowing inside your arteries.
The best part is, it's a painless , noninvasive test. That means there are no needles or skin incisions. Some call it a "pulse volume recording," others call it a "segmental pressure test." Either way, it does the same thing.
When is a PVR test performed?
Often, a doctor will recommend this PVR test to check for a condition called Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and to see how severe it is.
Do you know what PAD is?
PAD is a condition in which the blood vessels (arteries) that carry blood from our heart to our legs gradually narrow. It's like a water pipe that gets clogged with dirt over time. The main cause of this is atherosclerosis . This is when cholesterol and other fatty substances build up inside the blood vessels and block them.
If you experience unexplained pain in your legs when you walk, a doctor can perform this PVR test to see if there is a blood clot or other blockage in the blood vessels in your legs.
Sometimes PVR testing can also help detect conditions like:
- Artery disease in the arms or fingers.
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) .
Is PVR the only way to check PAD status?
No, PVR is just one way to check for PAD. It is a noninvasive vascular test . Your doctor may also do some other tests along with the PVR test, such as:
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI): This is the most common test used to diagnose PAD. A doctor will place a blood pressure cuff around your ankle and compare the pressure to the pressure in your arm. This is very similar to PVR. However, because PVR measures pulse pressure at several points in the leg, it can be more accurate in people with calcified/hardened arteries due to diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease .
- Arterial duplex ultrasound: In this test, a doctor uses a handheld tool to send high-frequency sound waves into your legs. The results show where the blood vessels are narrowed or blocked. However, unlike a PVR, it does not measure blood pressure.
- Exercise stress test: You may be asked to walk on a treadmill . Your doctor may then measure your blood pressure before and after you exercise. This exercise test may be done if your resting PVR results are normal, but you have unexplained symptoms, such as leg pain when you walk.
Who is doing this PVR test?
Typically, these PVR tests and other non-invasive vascular tests are performed by specially trained people called vascular technologists or sonographers . Sometimes, a nurse may also perform your PVR test.
Do I need to prepare anything before the PVR test?
Actually, there is no special preparation required for the PVR test. However, the doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications the day before the test, or if you smoke, to stop for a while. Small things like that.
What happens during a PVR test?
Before the PVR test, you will need to remove any clothing and jewelry and put on a hospital gown. As mentioned earlier, this is a painless, non-invasive test, so you will not need anesthesia or any sleep medication. A PVR test usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes .
Important: If you have previously had any treatment for vascular diseases, for example, if you have had a stent placed, angioplasty , or bypass procedure , you must tell the technologist conducting the examination.
Here's what happens during a PVR test:
- You will be seated on a padded exam table.
- A doctor or technician will attach blood pressure cuffs to your big toes, ankles, wrists, upper and lower thighs, and arms. They will also apply a special gel to your skin. This helps the ultrasound waves pass through them properly.
- Then they inflate the cuffs and tighten them to measure your blood pressure. You will feel the cuff tightening, but you won't feel any discomfort.
- In some cases, the doctor may tell you to walk or stand on your toes.
- While the cuffs are tightened, the doctor uses a small handheld device called a transducer to direct ultrasound waves at different points on your leg.
- These sound waves measure the speed and volume of blood moving through your legs. These results appear on a computer screen as "waveforms," or wavy patterns. The doctor uses the shape of these waveforms to determine how the blood is moving.
What happens after the PVR test?
After the PVR test is over, you can go home. You can continue your normal activities as usual. There is no problem.
Are there any risks to a PVR test?
No. A PVR test is a safe, noninvasive procedure. Therefore, there are no serious risks. You have nothing to fear.
How long does it take to know the results of the PVR test?
The vascular technologist or sonographer will work with a doctor to evaluate and interpret the results. This can take several hours or even days. So, ask your doctor how long it will take to get the results.
What do the results of the PVR test say?
Your doctor will compare the blood pressure in your legs with the blood pressure in your arms. If your blood pressure is lower in your legs than in your arms, you may have arterial disease. Your doctor will also compare the pulses in different parts of your legs to roughly find out where the blood vessels are blocked or narrowed. However, a PVR test cannot tell exactly which arteries are affected. Other tests are needed to determine that.
What questions should you ask the doctor about the PVR test?
If the results of the PVR test are abnormal, you can ask your doctor questions like:
- If I have PAD, am I at risk for blood clots?
- How accurate are the results of a PVR test?
- What are the treatment options for PAD?
- Will I need to have any other tests, such as imaging exams ?
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
A Pulse Volume Recording (PVR) test is a painless, noninvasive vascular test that measures the blood pressure and blood flow in the arteries in your legs. It is a common test used to diagnose and assess conditions such as peripheral arterial disease (PAD) . The results of a PVR test can help your doctor plan what further tests and treatments you need.
So, if a doctor asks you to have a PVR test, don't be unnecessarily scared or worried about it. This is just a simple, safe way to find out about the health of your legs. Talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have.
` PVR test, blood circulation in the legs, peripheral arterial disease, PAD, ultrasound, blood pressure, vascular tests
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