Artery Assessment (Arterial and Vein Mapping)

Why might I need artery assessment?

Your doctor may suggest this scan:

• to find the healthiest, best-sized vein and artery before you start dialysis, so your surgeon can create an access point (called a fistula) that's likely to work well long-term
• to check for a suitable vein before a bypass graft, for a blocked or weakened artery in your leg, or to bypass blocked arteries in your heart
• to diagnose conditions such as atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries) or deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a vein).

What are the benefits of artery assessment?

• It's painless, non-invasive and doesn't use any radiation, needles or dye
• Choosing the right blood vessel beforehand can mean fewer complications, such as clotting or infection, and a lower chance of needing further surgery
• It helps your surgeon plan for a durable, long-lasting access point or graft, rather than one that's likely to fail early
• It can be repeated as often as needed, with no added risk.

Are there different types of artery assessment?

This is usually done as duplex ultrasound, which combines a standard picture of the blood vessel with Doppler ultrasound, showing the direction and speed of blood flow.

How do I prepare for artery assessment?

There's no special preparation needed:

• you can eat, drink and take your usual medications as normal
• wear loose, comfortable clothing that's easy to remove from the area being scanned, such as your arm or leg
• try to stay well hydrated beforehand, since well-hydrated veins are easier to see on the scan.

What happens during artery assessment?

Here's what typically happens:

1. You'll be asked to remove clothing and any jewellery from the arm or leg being examined, and lie down on a couch.
2. The room lights may be dimmed slightly, to help get the clearest possible images.
3. Gel is applied to your skin, and a handheld probe called a transducer is moved along the blood vessel being checked, from your groin to your ankle for a leg scan, or from your neck to your wrist for an arm scan.
4. The person carrying out the scan measures the size, depth and blood flow of the vessels, checking for any narrowing or blockages.
5. You may hear a whooshing sound through the machine's speaker. This is simply the sound of your blood flow, picked up by the Doppler part of the scan.

What happens after artery assessment?

Once the scan is finished, you can get dressed and go back to your normal activities straight away, since there's no recovery time needed. The person carrying out the scan may give you a brief comment on the findings, and will write a full report for the doctor who referred you.

You'll usually discuss the results in detail at your next appointment, though in rare cases they may need to discuss an urgent finding with a doctor before you leave.

What are the risks of artery assessment?

There are no known risks. The scan is painless and doesn't involve any radiation, needles or dye.