We promote early diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease and offer a full range of diagnostic tests, including the ankle-brachial index, vascular ultrasound, and non-invasive vascular imaging. Patients who are diagnosed early can benefit from the many treatment options available.

In addition, since peripheral vascular disease may be an indicator of severe coronary disease, early diagnosis may help prevent a life-threatening cardiac event.

Ankle-Brachial Index

The most reliable non-invasive diagnostic test is the ankle-brachial index (ABI), which screens for peripheral vascular disease and helps define its severity.

The 15-minute test uses a Doppler stethoscope to determine the ratio of the systolic blood pressure reading in the ankle to that in the arm (obtained the traditional way).

The American Diabetes Association recommends ABI screening in everyone with diabetes over age 50.

Other Tests

Additional tests your physician may use include:

• Ultrasound
• Computed tomographic (CT scan) or magnetic resonance angiography
• X-ray angiography using contrast dye

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Crawford, Lawrence E.
  • Medicine / Cardiology
• Patel, Manesh R.
  • Medicine / Cardiology
• Zidar, James P.
  • Medicine / Cardiology

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Cardiology
  Duke Clinic 2F/2G, 200 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710
• Duke Cardiology of Raleigh
  3480 Wake Forest Road, Suite 410, Raleigh, NC 27609
• Duke Center for Living Campus
  3475 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705
• Duke Health Center at North Duke Street
  3116 North Duke Street, Durham, NC 27704
• Duke Health Center at Southpoint
  6301 Herndon Road, Durham, NC 27713
• Duke Raleigh Hospital
  3400 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609
• Duke University Hospital
  2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710