Independent Vascular Imaging (IVU)

IVU is a Specialist Vascular Diagnostic Ultrasound facility

Services include:

• Peripheral venous: Leg and arm veins, including venous incompetency studies
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Peripheral arterial: Leg and arm arteries
• Abdominal including –
  • Aorta (e.g. aneurysm)
  • Major arteries to liver, spleen and bowel.
  • Kidneys (Renal arteries)
  • Portal hypertension
  • Pelvic congestion syndrome
• Cerebrovascular: Carotid arteries
• Arteriovenous grafts and fistulas (AVG and AVF)

It can be critical that this examination is performed by a specialist Vascular Sonographer as your future management may well depend on the outcome of this examination. Vascular sonographers are specialists in their field, with specialised training, ensuring reliable and accurate imaging. Independent Vascular Ultrasound is a dedicated Vascular Unit where your vascular ultrasound examination will be performed by a dedicated Vascular Sonographer at all times. We are fortunate to have onsite vascular sonographers who have many years of experience and are leaders in their field.

How do I prepare for an Ultrasound?

1. Read any instructions given to you by your doctor, or provided by us.
2. Wear clothing that will provide easy access to the area that is being imaged.
3. Bring any previous imaging examination films with you, for comparison.

IMPORTANT: If you have diabetes, or you are on any medications prescribed by your doctor, please contact us to ensure that there are no special requirements prior to your examination.

• Abdomen ultrasound:
  You will need to fast (have nothing to eat or drink) for eight hours prior to the examination. This ensures there is no food or fluid covering the area that is to be examined.

• Renal (kidney related) ultrasound:
  Please drink 750 – 1000 mL of water, one hour prior to the procedure and do not go to the toilet after drinking the fluid.

• Vascular (blood vessel related) ultrasound:
  • Renal (kidney) arteries – Please fast (have nothing to eat or drink) for eight hours prior to the examination.
  • Aorta or Leg arteries – Please fast (have nothing to eat or drink) for eight hours prior to the examination to minimise bowel gas that may obscure the large arteries in your lower abdomen, which are examined as part of this test

No preparation is required for the following ultrasound examinations:

• Peripheral venous: Leg and arm veins, including venous incompetency studies
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Peripheral arterial: Arm arteries
• Cerebrovascular: Carotid arteries
• Arteriovenous grafts and fistulas (AVG and AVF)

Please note: For general ultrasound information please see the “General Ultrasound page”