Vascular sonography applies duplex imaging — B-mode plus color and spectral Doppler — to evaluate the blood vessels of the body. Vascular sonographers map arterial and venous anatomy, measure blood flow velocities, and identify disease patterns such as stenosis, thrombosis, and aneurysm.
Examinations span the carotid and vertebral arteries, lower extremity arterial and venous systems, abdominal aorta, visceral arteries, and bypass grafts. Physiologic testing including ankle-brachial index (ABI) and segmental pressure measurements complements imaging. The specialty intersects with vascular surgery, neurology, interventional radiology, and nephrology.
The Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) credential from ARDMS and the Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) from CCI are the industry standards. Vascular sonographers are employed in hospital vascular labs, outpatient vascular surgery offices, dialysis access surveillance programs, and mobile vascular units.