Graft Surveillance

AIMS:

To assess the patency of bypass grafts and to identify any stenosis or problems within or associated with arterial grafts e.g. thrombosis or aneurysmal dilatation.

PATIENT PREPARATION:

Upper limb & lower leg grafts: no preparation required.
Intra-abdominal grafts: nil my mouth for 4 hours prior to the examination to minimize bowel gas interference.

TECHNIQUE & TEST DURATION:

The patient is recumbent. The study is non-invasive and painless and does not involve the injection of any dye. Gel is applied to the skin and the ultrasound probe is moved over the skin of the limb or abdomen. The study takes approximately 1 hour.

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA:

B-mode imaging of grafts to assess for any stenosis or flow disturbance.
Measure flow within grafts plus assess inflow and outflow of a graft.

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