Echocardiography and Vascular Labs

Cardiovascular Imaging of Aiken has been awarded a national accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for the Echocardiography and Vascular Labs. Our Echocardiography and Vascular Labs have been accredited for the past 10 years. Our Vascular lab was one of the first labs in the Aiken area to receive the IAC recognition. The purpose of the accreditation program is “to ensure high quality patient care and to promote health care by providing a mechanism to encourage and recognize the provision of quality diagnostic evaluations by a process of accreditation.”

Cardiovascular Imaging of Aiken performs the following ultrasound exams within our accredited facility:

• Echocardiography – This test provides a complete evaluation of the heart valves and heart function using 2-D, M-Mode, Doppler and Color Flow ultrasonic imaging. These are real-time images taken as the heart is beating. Images, measurements and blood flow are obtained to provide an assessment of all parts of the heart.
• Stress Echocardiography – This procedure is an exercise stress test of the heart. Accompanying echocardiographic images of the heart are obtained before and after exercise to assess contractility of the heart muscle under stress. This test is used to screen patients for significant coronary artery disease.
• Carotid Doppler Ultrasound – This is an examination of the carotid and vertebral arteries. These arteries carry blood flow to the brain. This test is designed to screen patients for stroke or TIA, and to follow plaque disease in these arteries.
• Abdominal Aorta Imaging – This is an ultrasound study used to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysms, and to follow the size and/or expansions of aneurysms.
• Renal Artery Doppler Imaging – This is an ultrasound study that evaluates blood flow through the renal arteries, which supply blood to the kidneys.
• Superior Mesenteric Artery Doppler Imaging – This is an ultrasound study that evaluates blood flow through the mesenteric arteries, which supply blood to the intestine.
• Upper and Lower Extremity Doppler Studies – A non-imaging ultrasound study using continuous Doppler and blood pressures taken at multiple sites on the arms or legs to evaluate blood flow in the arteries.
• Arterial Doppler of Extremity Arteries – This is an ultrasound imaging study of the arteries in the arms or legs to visualize known blockages, grafts or stents in the arteries.
• Venous Doppler of Extremity Veins – This is an ultrasound imaging study of the veins in the arms or legs to detect blood clots or venous insufficiency (venous reflux). Venous reflux or venous insufficiency develops when the valves that usually keep blood flowing out of your legs become damaged or diseased.
• In Office Non-surgical Treatment of Venous Insufficiency and Varicose Veins – The VENEFIT closure procedure is a minimally invasive treatment alternative with less pain and less bruising when compared to traditional vein stripping surgery and laser treatment. Using the Closure system, physicians close the diseased veins by inserting the closure catheter into a vein and heating the vein wall using temperature-controlled RF energy. Heating the vein wall causes collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close. After the vein is sealed shut, blood then naturally reroutes to healthy veins.