Treatment & CareVascular Care

Vascular Center

RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center

To schedule an appointment, please call 973-322-7888.

The Vascular Center, located at RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center, offers state-of-the-art technology for evaluating and diagnosing the vascular system for arterial and venous diseases and disorders. The Vascular Center is accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission.

Under the direction of renowned vascular surgeons, the lab is staffed by highly experienced registered vascular technologists and provides:

  • High definition imaging systems with superior capabilities in the evaluation of carotid, arterial, venous and abdominal vessel diseases;
  • Peripheral arterial testing for lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD);
  • Rapid deflation tourniquet to help identify the presence of venous valvular insufficiency in patients with varicose veins or venous stasis disease;
  • Renal doppler ultrasound used to evaluate blood flow to the kidneys and identify narrowing of the small vessels within the kidney.

Vascular Ultrasound is an important diagnostic tool used in the diagnosis and detection of blood vessel problems. Your vascular lab visit will consist of a safe non-invasive ultrasound exam. Non-invasive means the ultrasound procedure does not require the use of needles, dyes, radiation or anesthesia. Ultrasound uses sound wave frequencies too high to be heard by humans as a safe and harmless method to diagnose many medical conditions.

A registered vascular technologist will perform your procedure by applying a hypoallergenic water-based gel to the area to be evaluated. Then a small microphone-like device called a transducer is passed over the gel coated area to be examined, which produces an image on the screen of the ultrasound machine. Ultrasound is also used to measure the blood flow in specific blood vessels. Noises might be heard while the technologist listens to the blood flow. Upon completion of the exam, an experienced vascular surgeon reviews and interprets all of the images and blood flow measurements.

The following diagnostic vascular studies are performed at the RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center:

Carotid Duplex: used to evaluate the carotid arteries located in the neck that feed the brain with blood. Gel will be applied to the skin of the neck. A transducer will be placed on the gel covered areas to obtain images and evaluate and listen to the blood flow in the arteries.

Venous Duplex: used to evaluate the veins that carry blood to the heart from the legs or arms. Gel will be applied to the skin of the legs or arms. A transducer will be placed on the gel covered areas to obtain images and evaluate flow in the veins.

Arterial Duplex: used to evaluate the arteries that feed the arms and legs with blood. Gel will be applied to the skin of the legs or arms. A transducer will be placed on the gel covered areas to obtain images and listen to the blood flow in the arms or legs.

Arterial Pressures and Wave forms: used to evaluate the arteries that supply the arms and legs with blood. Several blood pressure cuffs will be placed at different segments of your legs or arms. When inflated, the cuffs will provide blood pressure readings as well as wave forms. This test will locate areas of blockage within the arteries.

Abdominal Vascular Duplex: used to evaluate the blood vessels that bring blood to and away from your abdominal organs. Gel will be applied to the abdomen. A transducer will be placed on the gel covered areas to obtain images and listen to blood flow in the arteries and or veins. Prior to your exam you must fast (nothing by mouth) from midnight prior to your scheduled appointment.

Preparing For Your Visit
To prepare for your vascular ultrasound examination, you should wear comfortable clothing. There is no special preparation for most exams except for abdominal vascular ultrasound exams. Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment for registration purposes. Most exams take 45 to 60 minutes to complete. After your exam is completed you will be free to go about your daily routine. The test results will generally be available within 24 to 48 hours for your referring physician's review.