Vascular Care
Your vascular, or circulatory, system delivers the blood, oxygen and nutrients your whole body needs to work well. Ask UNC Health Rex’s vascular experts for help keeping your blood vessels functioning at their best, so you stay as healthy as possible.
Conditions We Treat
Gain access to excellent care for the full spectrum of vascular conditions, including:
- Critical limb ischemia- the advanced stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which results from a progressive thickening of an arteries lining (caused by a buildup of plaque).
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – Blood clot in the legs or pelvic area that may cause no symptoms or symptoms such as pain, tenderness, swelling and blue or purple discoloration
- Pulmonary embolism – Blood clot that breaks loose from the lower body and migrates to the lung, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid pulse, sweating and/or a cough
- Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) – Reduced blood flow to the limbs or abdominal organs due to plaque buildup, smoking, cold, stress or other causes; includes peripheral artery disease
Vascular Diagnostics
When you choose UNC Health Rex for your vascular test, you benefit from:
- Strict measures to ensure your procedure is performed correctly
- Sophisticated technology
- Protection of your safety and confidentiality
You can trust our quality of care because many of our locations hold vascular testing accreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission.
Vascular Ultrasound
Vascular ultrasound, also called a duplex study, uses sound waves and color imaging (Doppler technology) to create images of your blood vessels. The pictures can reveal clots, plaque buildup and any other blockages to blood flow.
During the test, a technician passes a small device called a transducer over your skin to examine one or more of the following:
- Aorta (your body’s main artery)
- Carotid (neck) arteries
- Iliac arteries (branches of the aorta)
- Leg or arm arteries and veins
- Mesenteric (digestive system) arteries
- Renal (kidney) arteries
Ankle-Brachial Index
An ankle-brachial index shows how the blood pressure in your ankle compares to the blood pressure in your arm at rest or after exercise. If blood pressure in your leg is lower, you may have peripheral artery disease.
Vascular Treatments
Lifestyle changes and medication can relieve some vascular conditions. Depending on your condition, your doctor may also recommend:
Experienced Vascular Surgeons
Rest assured that UNC Health Rex vascular surgeons will help you achieve the best possible outcome of treatment. They’re fellowship trained in their specialties and have received training in a wide range of additional areas, including endovascular (minimally invasive) therapy.
