Department of Medical Imaging Sciences Vascular Technology Program

Vascular Diseases

Vascular diseases are pathologic disorders affecting blood flow in arteries and veins. Arterial diseases occur principally in the elderly but also impact trauma and hospitalized patients. Venous diseases are more evenly distributed among age groups. When cardiac problems affect blood flow it has its effect throughout the cardiovascular system but arterial and venous diseases affect blood flow to distinct vascular beds. The major processes include: Atherosclerosis which causes narrowing in larger arteries and reduces flow. Embolism which dislodges debris to distal vessels and plugs blood flow in specific areas. Thrombosis occurs when blood clots in intact veins and arteries.
Most major diseases important to vascular patients involve one or more of the processes above. They lead to:
· Stroke
· Peripheral arterial diseases that can lead to pain on walking, gangrene, and limb loss
· Venous blood clots - potentially fatal if undetected
· Abdominal aortic aneurysms
· Renal artery stenosis
· Varicose veins
· Hemodialysis problems

All are evaluated in vascular laboratories. Vascular ultrasound techniques were developed by vascular surgeons who needed non-invasive means to determine if patients needed surgery and if the operation was effective. There are invasive techniques called arteriography and venography, that are used cautiously because they risk complication. Non-invasive forms of testing were used to detect less urgent vascular problems and can be used repetitively to follow patients. Within the last ten years these techniques have become very mainstream.

Diagnostic Vascular Testing

Vascular Technology is the youngest of three ultrasound fields, which include Vascular Technology, General Ultrasound, and Echocardiography. Our specialty has evolved and is now more commonly known as Vascular Ultrasound.

All areas of ultrasound testing use the same technology but each area is highly specialized. There are surprising differences in testing techniques among the specialties. The knowledge-base required to identify disease in each application is so distinct, it is impossible for an expert in one field to do well in a different ultrasound specialty without additional education.

Over the last 15 years, noninvasive vascular testing developed into a full-fledged ultrasound specialty. Lead by the tremendous growth in biomedical technology, non-invasive vascular testing has decreased the need for invasive techniques. Vascular ultrasound is now essential to the care of vascular patients.

This trend toward non-invasive technology converges with the aging of our population and the increasing prevalence of vascular disease. The need for vascular ultrasound testing will grow with the increasing number of retirees.

See Frequently Asked Questions for more information on how the exam is performed.

Techchnological advances are creating the need for healthcare professionals who are better educated and willing to accept greater responsibilities. This need is even more pronounced in ultrasound fields where the diagnosis of disease rests most squarely upon the shoulders of the ultrasonographer.

Unfortunately, among ultrasound fields, Vascular Ultrasound suffers most from a lack of educational opportunities. The Vascular Technology Program at UMDNJ-SHRP is one of less than 50 accredited programs in the United States. The lack of educational programs has the odd effect of restricting entry into the field but simultaneously allow personnel to work with little or no training. This causes poorly trained vascular sonographers with less than adequate skills to make important life-impacting decisions.

This problem has created a chronic, severe need for skilled Vascular Ultrasonographers/Technologists in the region and nationally.The high demand for vascular sonographers/technologists is not being met and career opportunities for Vascular Technologists are excellent.

Practitioners in Vascular Technology typically work in hospitals, under the direction of a Vascular Surgeon or a Vascular Medicine Specialist. They also work in private, free-standing laboratories and in private industry.

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