Vascular Testing & Diagnostic Center

649 Shore Road, Somers Point

Shore Physicians Group’s Vascular Testing & Diagnostic Center technicians are certified Registered Vascular Technologists (RVT) who perform noninvasive ultrasound exams to evaluate the arterial and venous system of the neck, abdomen, legs and/or arms depending on the patient’s symptoms. An ultrasound is a noninvasive test performed to take images of inside the body. Warm gel is applied to the skin and technologists use a hand-held transducer to scan across the skin surface. Ultrasound generally is not painful but may seem uncomfortable during the exam.

The SPG Vascular Testing & Diagnostic Center performs high-quality exams approved by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). Studies are reviewed by Shore Physicians Group vascular surgeon, Dr. Matthew Lawrence, DO, FACS,.

Patients who should consider an appointment at SPG’s Vascular Testing & Diagnostic Center include those who are experiencing the following symptoms: acute/chronic extremity pain or swelling, Varicose veins, venous insufficiency, leg numbness or weakness, acute/chronic extremity ulcer or skin discoloration, claudication, carotid bruit or stroke-like symptoms. Patients with high-risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, obesity, peripheral vascular disease, and those with a family history of vascular or heart disease should consider an appointment. Prior to making an appointment, patients would need to obtain a referral from their primary physician, podiatrist, or vascular specialist. Most exams require minimal to no prep.

Shore Physicians Group's Vascular Testing & Diagnostic Center is accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. This accreditation indicates that Shore Physicians Group's Vascular Testing & Diagnostic Center is committed to providing high quality testing for the diagnosis of vascular disease.

Office Information:

Phone: 609-365-6239
Hours: Monday-Friday; 8am-4pm

Providers in Practice:

Dr. Matthew Lawrence, DO, FACS, FACOS

Studies performed in the Vascular Lab:

Venous Duplex Lower/Upper
Vein Mapping/Sizing Upper/Lower
Arterial Duplex Lower/Upper
Aorta Duplex
Mesenteric Artery Duplex
Renal Artery Duplex
Carotid Duplex
PVR Lower/Upper
Hemodialysis Access Duplex (Fistula/Graft)
Bypass Graft Evaluation
Venous Closure: Ablation

Description of Vascular Ultrasound:

Venous Duplex

Venous Duplex:
Noninvasive Ultrasound of Veins in Lower or Upper extremity

Assess for:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT)
- Venous insufficiency/Reflux (circulation returning to heart)
Symptoms: edema, pain, varicose veins, ulcers, redness, discoloration of skin, feverish skin
No preparation
Patient will be instructed by technician to remove article of clothing needed for specific exam.
45-60minute exam. Complex exams may take longer.

Arterial Duplex:

Arterial Duplex:
Noninvasive Ultrasound of the Arteries in the Lower or Upper extremity

Assess for:
- Peripheral Arterial Disease: Circulation of blood flow in legs/Arms
- Buildup of fatty deposits causing atherosclerosis/plaque in arteries
- Arterial Stenosis (narrowing of vessel)
- Blockage/Occlusion of arteries
- Aneurysm
Symptoms: painful cramping, numbness, weakness, coldness in lower leg/foot/toes, discoloration, weak or no palpable pulse, claudication (pain with short distance walk), non-healing ulcer
No preparation
Patient will be instructed by technician to remove article of clothing needed for specific exam.
45-60minute exam. Complex exams may take longer.

Carotid Duplex:

Carotid Duplex: (extracranial)
Noninvasive ultrasound of Carotid Arteries of the neck that carries blood flow to the brain and face

Assess for:
- Carotid artery disease, stenosis, blockage (atherosclerosis)
- Dissection
- Mass
Symptoms: stroke (CVA, TIA), vision loss one eye, slurred speech, dizziness, numbness weakness one side of face, carotid bruit
No preparation
Time: 20-30mins. Complex exams may take longer.

Aorta Duplex:

Aorta Duplex:

Noninvasive Ultrasound of Aorta and Iliac Arteries of the abdomen
Assess for:
- Atherosclerosis (stenosis, blockage)
- Dissection
- Aneurysm
- Aneurysm with Endovascular Repair (EVAR)
- Prep: Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours before Abdominal Aorta Ultrasound. Patient can take all needed medications with water (no caffeinated or carbonated drink). This will help limit bowel gas for higher quality imaging.
- Time: 20-30mins. Complex exams may take longer.

Mesenteric Artery Duplex:

Mesenteric Artery Duplex:

noninvasive Ultrasound of Aorta and vessels branching off Aorta
Assess for:
- plaque, stenosis, aneurysm
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours before Abdominal Aorta Ultrasound. Patient can take all medications with water (no caffeinated or carbonated drink). This will help limit bowel gas for higher quality imaging.
Time: 20-30mins. Complex exams may take longer.

Renal Artery Duplex:

Renal Artery Duplex:
Noninvasive Ultrasound Duplex of bilateral kidneys and small blood vessels within the kidneys, renal arteries, and Aorta

Assess for:
- Renal artery stenosis/narrowing, blood flow to kidneys,
Prep: Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours before Abdominal Aorta Ultrasound. Patient can take all medications with water (no caffeinated or carbonated drink). This will help limit bowel gas for higher quality imaging.
Time: 45-60mins. Complex exams may take longer.

PVR (Pulse Volume Recording):

PVR (Pulse Volume Recording):
Noninvasive exam examining the Arteries in the arms or legs that uses blood pressure cuffs to measures blood flow/circulation within the arteries. This exam checks to see any blockages in the arteries that brings blood flow to the extremities and digits.

Assess for:
PVD (peripheral vascular disease) and its severity at each segment of the legs or arms.
Symptoms: pain, claudication, non-healing ulcers, numbness, ischemia
No prep:
- Patient will be instructed by technician to remove socks and shoes for Lower PVR and Long sleeve shirt for Upper PVR
Patient will lie on stretcher. Blood pressure cuffs are applied to segments of the arms/legs
Exam is generally not painful but you may have mild discomfort as cuff are inflated
Time 20-45 minute exam. Complex exams may take longer. PVR with Cold stress 60mins.

Hemodialysis Access: (AVF/Graft):

Hemodialysis Access: (AVF/Graft):
Noninvasive ultrasound Duplex of Hemodialysis AVF/Graft to assess patency and maturation

Assess for abnormalities:
- stenosis
- thrombosis
- active branches
Symptoms:
- infiltration during dialysis
- loss of thrill
- ischemia of distal limb
- infection, mass, aneurysm or pseudoaneurym, hematoma
No prep
- Do not schedule directly after Dialysis. Patients are required to have pressure bandages on hemoaccess puncture sites for 6 hours after dialysis treatment. Bandages need to be removed to perform ultrasound.
Time: 30-45mins. Complex exams may take longer.

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