NON-INVASIVE VASCULAR LABORATORY
NON-INVASIVE VASCULAR LABORATORY
NON-INVASIVE VASCULAR LABORATORY
We offer convenient and coordinated care by offering our own on-site vascular laboratory. Our non-invasive vascular laboratory utilizes advanced imaging machines that look for vascular diseases that affect how well blood flows in the arteries and veins. We detect conditions not visible to the naked eye. Our laboratory is accredited by the Inter-societal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for Vascular Testing in veins.
Ultrasound Services are offered at both La Jolla and Vista locations! To make an ultrasound appointment in La Jolla, call 858-550-0330. To make an ultrasound appointment in Vista, call 760-249-7007
WE PROVIDE ONE-STOP, VASCULAR IMAGING & PHYSICIAN CONSULTATIONS IN THE SAME CLINIC.
We take out the hassle of going to multiple locations for imaging, diagnosis and treatment. Our Vascular Lab offers the convenience of:
- Non-invasive testing
- Same-day imaging appointments
- See a healthcare provider in the same location
- Comfortable, private rooms
The vascular lab examines blood vessels throughout the body that feed major organs and tissue. These tests can help diagnose and treat many vascular conditions such as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), aneurysms and venous insufficiency.
Arterial Exams
An arterial ultrasound looks at the arteries in the legs to see if there is any narrowing or reduced blood flow from plaque build up
Time: 60 Minutes
No special preparation needed
A carotid ultrasound looks at the carotid arteries in your neck to see if there is any narrowing or reduced blood flow from plaque build up, this helps to rule out blockages that can lead to stroke.
Time: 45 Minutes
No special preparation needed
An abdominal aortic ultrasound looks at your aorta artery in your abdomen to rule out an aneurysm and assess any plaque in the artery
Time: 45 Minutes
• Fasting 8-12 hours
• Water is OK
• Schedule in the morning
Ultrasound of the arteries within the upper arms and neck. This study is designed to see if plaque has formed within the arteries, blocking the blood flow. This is also called atherosclerosis; hardening of the arteries.
Time: 60 Minutes
No special preparation needed
Venous Exams
An ultrasound of the deep veins in your legs to rule out a blood clot
Time: 45 Minutes
No special preparation needed
A venous insufficiency exam looks at the superficial veins in your legs to see if there is any reversed blood flow
Time: 75 Minutes
• Well hydrated
•Do NOT wear compression stocking same day as appointment
An upper extremity ultrasound of the veins in your arms to see if there are any blood clots
Time: 60 Minutes
No special preparation needed
Ultrasound of the abdomen/pelvis post venous intervention of the iliac vein
Time: 45 Minutes
• Fasting 8-12 hours
• Water is OK
• Schedule in the morning
What is vascular disease?
Vascular refers to the blood vessels in the body. There are two main types of blood vessels; the arteries and veins. Arteries bring oxygen-rich blood from the heart to every inch of the body; veins return the blood back to the heart and lungs for more oxygen. Vascular disease is when the blood vessels are no longer healthy and blood is not flowing efficiently.
Common types of
Vein Disease include:
Common types of Artery Disease include
What is Duplex Ultrasound?
Duplex ultrasound combines Doppler flow information and conventional imaging information, sometimes called B-mode, to allow physicians to see the structure of your blood vessels. Duplex ultrasound uses sound waves to get images of your blood vessels. It also helps determine how fast blood moves through the vessels. It can also be useful to estimate the diameter of a blood vessel as well as the amount of obstruction, if any, in the blood vessel. Using duplex ultrasound technology, the structure of your blood vessels, the valve function, the movement of your red blood cells and direction of blood flow through the vessels, and any blockages or blood clots can be seen.
Diseases of the blood vessels can affect both veins and arteries.
Types of Ultrasound Testing Offered:
Direct testing (duplex imaging)
- Abdominal Aorta
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
- Carotid Duplex
- Lower Extremity Duplex
Indirect testing (non-imaging)
- Arterial –Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) with waveforms
- Arterial -Segmental pressures and waveforms (P&Ws), upper or lower extremity
VEINS
Venous Reflux or Venous Insufficiency
The Duplex Ultrasound examination allows us to visualize the blood vessels that are not visible to the naked eye, even blood vessels that are deep within the muscles. Ultrasound looks at deep and superficial veins in the legs to check for venous-valvular incompetence (the underlying condition that causes varicose veins). The ultrasound examination is used to both identify the veins that have faulty valves and to map the anatomy of the veins, creating a ‘road map.’ This is necessary to make an accurate assessment of the cause and extent of the varicose veins, as well as to formulate the best treatment plan. This should be done for any individual being evaluated for varicose veins, leg swelling, patients who have failed prior treatment, patients who are symptomatic and in some patients with certain anatomic patterns of spider veins.
Before your test: This study does not require any preparation. You should not wear your compression stockings the same day as the examination. Make sure to be hydrated.
Vein Conditions May Not Be Visible to the Naked Eye: 90% of visible varicose veins have an underlying cause.
Vein Mapping
A vein mapping ultrasound is used to map the anatomy of the veins, creating a ‘road map.’ The vein diameters are also measured at various points. This is necessary to make an accurate assessment of the cause and extent of the varicose veins, as well as to formulate the best treatment plan. This study is performed prior to undergoing a vein procedure.
Before your test: This study does not require any preparation. You should not wear your compression stockings the same day as the examination. Make sure to be hydrated.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
A deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs. This is a serious medical condition because the blood clot can travel from the deep venous system to the lungs and cause a lethal pulmonary embolism. A DVT can be diagnosed by an experienced vascular sonographer with a Duplex ultrasound examination. A DVT study is performed when a person has signs and symptoms of a lower extremity DVT such as leg pain and swelling. It may also be performed routinely after a vein procedure or other surgery.
Before your test: This study does not require any preparation.
Upper Extremity Venous Study
Ultrasound of the upper arms and neck. This study is performed to assess the deep and superficial venous system to determine the presence or absence when a person has signs and symptoms of a lower pain and swelling in arms.
ARTERIES
Testing and Screening
The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a test that uses inflatable pressure cuffs to assess blood flow in the legs and arms.
Duplex Ultrasound
The duplex ultrasound evaluates the blood flow through your arteries and veins. There are several types of ultrasound tests:
Lower Extremity Arterial study (LEA)
Ultrasound of the arteries within the lower legs. This study is designed to see if plaque has formed within the arteries, blocking the blood flow. This is also called atherosclerosis; hardening of the arteries.
Upper Extremity Arterial Study (UEA)
Ultrasound of the arteries within the upper arms and neck. This study is designed to see if plaque has formed within the arteries, blocking the blood flow. This is also called atherosclerosis; hardening of the arteries.
Ultrasound of the carotid arteries in the neck to identify or rule out blockages or reduced blood flow from plaque build up that can lead to a stroke
Abdominal Ultrasound
Ultrasound of the abdomen for identification and evaluation of aneurysmal disease of the aorta and its branches, such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
WHO SHOULD GET ARTERIAL SCREENINGS?
*In accordance with USPSTF and the AHA, ultrasound screening abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with ultrasonography in men get 65-75 years who have ever smoked.
*Because people with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have this increased risk for heart attack and stroke, the American Heart Association encourages people at risk or over the age 55 to discuss PAD with their healthcare professional to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.
Carotid Artery Ultrasounds are routine evaluatons for symptoms of
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or stroke.
Transient ischemic Attack (TIA)
Symptoms of TIA or stroke include:
- Sudden Numbness
- Trouble Speaking
- Trouble Seeing
- Dizziness
- Severe Headache
Evaluated with Ultrasound Screenings
Risk Factors for Stroke and Arterial Disease
Know the Risk!
- High Blood Pressure
- Tabacco Use
- Diabetes
- Family History
- Age
- Obesity
- Sleep Apnea
For more information on Vascular Health please visit our online library to view and download pdfs on many issues of vein disease.
Expertise & Medical Staff
Who Performs the test?
Accuracy is critical. Our ultrasounds are ALWAYS be performed by a credentialed sonographer, called a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT). An RVT is a sonographer who completed a two-year ultrasound program, plus additional clinical training and obtained certification by meeting the highest standards by The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography® (ARDMS®). It is important that a specially trained RVT perform the study, because a special protocol must be followed for each study to meet accreditation standards. The protocol involves taking images at certain anatomic locations using special waveforms to show blood flow. All images taken by the RVT are reviewed by the physician.
For Health Care Professionals
For Health Care Professionals
HOW TO REFER YOUR PATIENT
For same day appointments, check ‘STAT’ box on the fax order and call us at 858-550-0330 for La Jolla or 760-249-7007 for Vista. We will do our best to get your patient seen ASAP. Our physicians interpret STAT ultrasounds immediately and provide the referring physician with the results while the patient is in our clinic.
Fax a referral form with supporting documentation to 858-550-0676.
Phone: 858-550-0330
Fax: 858-550-0676
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
OUR PATIENTS SAY
The staff at La Jolla Vein Care Center are outstanding. They are friendly and helpful. Dr. Lucas and my ultrasound tech were both very thorough, kind and answered all of my questions. The new office was beautiful. I feel very confident that I am in good hands and that any up coming treatments will be successful. Thank for for making me feel so comfortable.
I am pleased to recommend La Jolla Vein & Vascular. I am in the process of receiving treatment there. The entire medical staff are super friendly, welcoming and very helpful. Everyone is courteous, including the physicians. I’ve had one doctor follow my case. He’s the one who always treats me at appointments and closely follows my health. I am very comfortable going there. Would go again if needed and encourage anyone who’s thinking of making an appointment to do so asap. You’ll see what a wonderful experience it is. It’s the people who make it so special!
The office is exceptional, from front desk, to exam staff to the physicians. They have created a welcoming, relaxing environment, and take their time in examining and consulting with you to provide the best outcome. I highly recommend La Jolla Vein & Vascular for the assessment and treatment of your vein and vascular function.
The staff kept you informed as to when you would be seen and the wait was not too long. Emily took care of my ultrasound and was very accommodating giving me an extra pillow and playing a video to watch. The office is very courteous and professional- Nadia answered our questions and offered us a bottle of water. I have been seeing Dr. Bunke, but now Dr. Lucas and will continue coming to La Jolla Vein Care!
Dr De Young is personable and thorough in his explanations. Exceptional.
Highly recommend! Entire staff are warm& friendly, professional and accommodating. The doctor took the time to thoroughly explain everything and encouraged me to ask questions. I never felt rushed. Significantly better experience than the other 2 vein clinics I’ve been to on the east coast. I wish I could’ve just come here from the beginning.
Everyone here is so nice! Usually front desk medical personnel are so rude. The front desk ladies Alejandra, Anna, and I think her name is Liz, went above and beyond to take care of me and my insurance issues. The techs are great too! Rachel and a male technician assisted me…both of them implemented different techniques to make me feel more at ease during an uncomfortable and painful process. These procedures were rough…and I am grateful everyone was so sweet to me. Thanks again.
La Jolla Vein care has the best staff ever. They are so nice, accommodating and professional!! Dr. Bunke is the best doctor that I ever seen. She is so friendly upfront and has the best bed side manner. I thank this office for letting me be their patient. 💜. Plus they are so careful with COVID which I really appreciate!!!
We were early and didn’t have to wait at all. The tech that did my husband’s ultrasound, Monica, was very accommodating with my husband’s Parkinson’s. Doctor Lucas whom we hadn’t seen before, came to us instead of making my husband walk down to another office. She spent a lot of time getting caught up on Steve’s background issues/conditions. I was impressed by this medical group before, so I was surprised that the staff was even better this time around; I honestly didn’t think there was room for improvement!
The staff members that I interacted with were all professional, conscientious and empathetic to my complaints and discomfort. I was taken into the ultrasound room a few minutes before my appointment time. I did not have a long wait before the ultrasonographer came and ran the machine. It was also a short wait before Dr. Steinburg came into the room with a warm, welcoming smile. We discussed my ultrasound and the things I was experiencing . I scheduled another appointment for next year and was offered a bottle of water upon leaving the office. All in all, I thought it was a very satisfactory appointment.
I have been having leg treatments for several months now La Jolla Vein Care. Every time I go to an appointment; the staff is so friendly and takes such good care of me; always informative; not in a rush and always friendly (especially Alejandra & Anna to name a few). Of course Dr. Lucas is amazing. The treatments have changed my life. Overall this has been an incredible experience.
When I arrived for the first time, I could barely walk. My legs were red and swollen. After my treatments, I can now walk again. I’m so thankful to the doctor and his staff. They are caring, supporting and knowledgeable about my issues. Five Stars all the way!!!!
I had the best experience at La Jolla Vein Care. Dr.Bunke is an amazing doctor with the best bedside manners, she truly cares about her patients, she explained everything to me. My procedures where so easy I was impressed how painless and fast my appointments. Anna M was very helpful scheduling my treatments and checking on me to make sure all of my questions were answered. I am very pleased thank you !!! I truly recommend La Jolla Vein Care!
Beautiful facility! I walked in without an appointment and they took me right away! It was even the end of the day…I was so grateful…Every single person was soooo pleasant! Super impressed ❤️
From my greeting at the front desk to the ultrasound and visit with the doctor, I received excellent care. It’s clear they care about their patients and all the staff couldn’t have been nicer or more helpful. I also appreciate how much time the doctor spent with me to explain the results and the next steps. I would definitely recommend this office to friends with vein issues.
To make an appointment or to inquire about how we can help you understand your treatment options
La Jolla – Text us or Call 858-550-0330
Vista – Text us or Call 760-249-7007
