Vascular and Microvascular
The Vascular and Microvascular Unit is dedicated to the development of non-invasive measurements in peripheral Vascular and Microvascular blood flow. Techniques available include Duplex Ultrasound Scanning, Treadmill exercise, Uni- and Bi-directional Doppler Flowmetry, Thermography and Capillaroscopy. The Unit also has an active clinical research programme.
Vascular Laboratory
Services provided
Ankle/Brachial Index
This is 1st line arterial test for patients complaining of pain on walking. The Ankle/Brachial Index is taken at rest and after standardised treadmill test and helps to exclude arterial disease.
Arterial Colour Duplex Ultrasound
This is reliable in detecting stenosis, occlusions, plaque characterisation, measurement of flow and vessel diameter.
- Carotid Arteries.
- Lower and Upper Limbs.
- Aneurysms i.e. Aortic & Popliteal Arteries.
- Graft Surveillance (synthetic or vein).
Venous Colour Duplex Ultrasound
This is sensitive and specific in detecting venous thrombosis and venous reflux.
- Thrombosis within upper and lower limb.
- Assessment Of Venous Reflux of the lower limb and marking source of varicose veins prior to surgery.
- A-V Fistula Assessment (patency, arterial insufficiency and thrombosis).
Microvascular Unit
The Ernest Cooke Microvascular Unit is a unique centre dedicated to the development and application of non-invasive measurements in Microvascular blood flow. Techniques available include, high definition Infra-red Thermography, laser Doppler fluxmetry, infra-red photoplethysmography, strain gauge plethysmography, diagnostic and dynamic capillaroscopy, transcutaneous gas measurement, iontophoresis and arterial/venous infusion of vasoactive compounds.
The Unit also has an active clinical research programme and has extensive experience in the design and implementation of research trials requiring COREC Research Ethics Committee submission, Clinical Reporting, trial schedules, and liaison with industrial sponsors, Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority, the Home Office and grant awarding bodies.
Services provided
The unit provides a broad range of non-invasive tests to evaluate circulatory diseases and physiological response.
Microvascular Investigations include:
Nail fold Capillaroscopy
A very sensitive, non-invasive microscopy test that visualises the hairpin-shaped capillaries in the nail folds.
- Cold/ischaemic peripheries.
- Raynaud's Disease / peripheral vasospasm.
- Connective Tissue Diseases associated with circulation dysfunction.
Thermography
This test is performed by means of a state-of-the-art infrared camera that sees the natural radiation generated by the human body and translates it into colour scale. The test evaluates patterns of physiological response, which may indicate a range of disease processes. The assessment is uniquely supported with non-invasive measurement of microcirculatory function.
- Cold/ischaemic peripheries.
- Raynaud's Disease / peripheral vasospasm.
- Connective Tissue Diseases associated with circulation dysfunction.
- Complex Regional Pain Syndromes. (formerly known as RSD).
Patient information
Download Vascular patient information - Barts - September 2010.
Download Vascular patient information - Royal London - 2011.
