Upper Extremity Venous Duplex
What is an Upper Extremity Venous Duplex?
An Upper Extremity Venous Duplex Scan is an ultrasound image of the veins in the arms. The veins are the vessels that carry blood to the heart.
Why is an Upper Extremity Venous Duplex done?
An Upper Extremity Venous Ultrasound gives doctors information about the veins in the
arms. Such as:
- The blood flow through the veins
- The presence of blood clots within the veins
- The possibility of graft placement for dialysis candidates.
What can I expect during the Upper Extremity Venous Duplex?
A clear gel will be placed on your arms and the technologist will scan your veins with a transducer (a microphone-like device) that will show pictures of the veins and listen to the blood flow within. Some slight pushing on the arm is required to evaluate for blood clots within the vein.
When will I know the results of the Upper Extremity Venous Duplex?
Your doctor will review the findings of the Upper Extremity Venous Ultrasound with you at your next office visit. Make sure that you have a follow-up appointment scheduled, as the results of this test cannot be given over the telephone.