Vascular sonography uses duplex ultrasound — combining B-mode imaging with Doppler flow analysis — to evaluate arteries and veins throughout the body. Vascular sonographers assess blood flow, detect obstruction, and identify pathology in vessels of the neck, abdomen, extremities, and bypass grafts.
Common examinations include carotid artery duplex scanning for stroke risk assessment, lower extremity venous duplex for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), peripheral arterial studies for claudication and critical limb ischemia, abdominal aorta screening for aneurysm, and renal artery duplex for hypertension workup. Vascular labs are found in hospitals, vascular surgery practices, and outpatient imaging centers.
The standard credential for vascular sonographers is the Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT), offered by ARDMS. CCI also offers the Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS). Many sonographers enter vascular ultrasound after completing a diagnostic medical sonography program, then add the vascular physics and instrumentation (VPI) module and vascular technology (VT) specialty exam.