The vascular system, also known as the circulatory system, is made up of vessels that circulate blood and transport nutrients throughout the body. Vascular diseases occur when an issue affecting the arteries or veins prevents blood from flowing properly. Common vascular diseases attack the carotid, aortic, mesenteric, renal, or peripheral arteries and can result in, among others, heart disease and stroke.
What is the GE Logiq E9?
The GE Logiq E9 is a vascular ultrasound machine that uses high-frequency sound waves to identify blockages (stenosis), detect blood clots, and monitor blood flow to organs and tissues in the body’s circulatory system. The painless procedure provides pictures of the body’s arteries and veins using a small transducer (probe) and ultrasound gel placed directly on the skin.
Similar to how bats, ships, and fisherman use sonar to identify how far away an object is, ultrasound technology uses soundwaves and echo waves to determine an object’s size, shape, and consistency, and detect abnormalities.
On average, a vascular ultrasound test can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to complete, and results can be identified by a vascular physician.
Why You Might Need a Vascular Ultrasound
Once a patient has presented symptoms, the first step in determining if they would benefit from vascular care is a clinical exam. Almost always, the specialist who performs the exam can identify a suspected diagnosis. A vascular ultrasound is then performed to test the diagnosis.
The symptoms presented by the patient will guide the clinician in determining which type of vascular ultrasound to run. For example, a carotid ultrasound is ordered when a patient exhibits symptoms of stroke or the findings of bruits (abnormal sounds generated by turbulent flow of blood in an artery due to an area of partial obstruction) in the neck. An abdominal ultrasound is ordered when a patient exhibits abdominal pain or a pulsating mass, and can rule out an aneurysm of the main abdominal artery. If a patient is experiencing pain or having difficulty walking, or if lower extremity wounds are not healing, a clinician can order an ultrasound test to define circulation levels in the legs and pinpoint the disease.
Benefits of the GE Logiq E9
Vascular ultrasounds help a doctor define the severity of different types of vascular disease. These dangerous diseases and conditions can lead to serious consequences if left unidentified or untreated. By classifying the problem with a minimally invasive ultrasound test, doctors can assess the degree of illness, the risks associated with it, and the most appropriate treatment plan.
