A "map" of your blood vessels? (Arterial & Venous Mapping) Let's learn about it simply!

Have you ever had a doctor tell you to do a "vascular ultrasound" or "vascular mapping"? Maybe you've had bypass surgery or are on dialysis because your kidneys are failing. While the name may sound a bit complicated, it's actually a very simple, painless test. To be precise, it's a "map" that clearly shows the blood vessels in your body. So let's talk about it in detail.

Simply put, what is Arterial and Venous Mapping?

This is commonly called 'Vein Mapping'. This is actually an ultrasound scan. You may have seen the scan reports of an expectant mother, and that's the same technology used here. This test takes pictures of your arteries and veins .

Simply put:

• Arteries are large blood vessels that carry clean blood from the heart to other parts of the body.
• Veins are blood vessels that carry impure blood back to the heart from various parts of the body.

So what this test does is create a "map" of the arteries and veins in your arm or leg, including the health of the arteries and veins, the speed of their blood flow, whether they are blocked anywhere, and how large they are. This map is very important to doctors, like a guidebook.

Why do we need to do this kind of test?

This test is done for two main reasons. One is to plan ahead for certain surgeries , and the other is to accurately diagnose certain diseases .

Let's see clearly what these opportunities are.

Who is doing this test?

This test is performed by an ultrasound technologist who is specially trained in ultrasound scans. He or she is the one who takes the necessary images. Then, a vascular physician reviews the images and prepares your report, which is sent to your treating doctor.

How does this test work?

It's very simple. An ultrasound machine sends high-frequency sound waves that we can't hear through the body's tissues. The sound waves bounce off the body and bounce back (echoes). The machine picks up the reflected sound waves and turns them into images on a computer screen.

Vein mapping involves sending these sound waves to your blood vessels. These sound waves bounce off the red blood cells that are moving inside the blood vessels. The machine measures the speed of the blood flow based on the speed of the sound waves and creates a clear image of the blood vessels on the screen. It can see everything from the size of the blood vessels, their shape, and the speed of the blood flow.

Do I need to prepare anything before the test?

No, no special preparation is required. You can eat and drink normally.

But there are a few things to keep in mind:

• You will need to wear a hospital gown before the test.
• You will have to take off all the jewelry you are wearing, so it is best to leave it at home if possible.
• This test is usually performed in a specialized imaging center at a hospital or health center.

Typically, this entire test can take between 30 and 90 minutes .

What happens during the test?

Let's look at what's happening step by step at this time.

1. First, you will be made to lie down on an exam table.

2. Next, the technician applies a water-soluble gel to the skin of the area being tested (arm or leg). This gel will not harm the skin and will not stain clothing.

3. Next, he or she will take a small device called a transducer and place it over the gel-coated area and move it back and forth. This device sends out sound waves and picks up the waves that come back. At the same time, images of your blood vessels are created on a computer screen.

4. The technician will hold this device on the skin until he or she has all the information they need.

5. Important: If you are having this test done before surgery, the technologist may mark some areas on your skin with a pen . These marks are made to help the surgeon find the exact location of the blood vessel. Do not wash off these marks before surgery for any reason . If the marks fade after bathing, the surgeon may give you a pen and ask you to re-apply them.

Is there any risk in this?

No. This is the best thing about this test. Vein mapping does not cause any harmful side effects.

There are no needles, dyes, anesthesia, or skin incisions in your body. There is no exposure to radiation, as with some other scans, such as X-rays.

When will I receive the report?

After the test, the technician will wipe away the gel from your skin. You can then dress normally and go home or go to work. No downtime is required.

The vascular specialist will review your scans, prepare a complete report, and send it to your treating doctor. Your doctor will usually receive this report within a few days. The next time you see him, he will explain the results to you.

However, sometimes, if an urgent, life-threatening condition is suspected (such as DVT), the doctor may perform this test urgently. In that case, you will be able to know the results immediately.