Vascular MOT

This scan is used to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA's) and also for the monitoring and follow-up assessment of an aortic dilation.

Aortic Aneurysm Screening can be performed as a routine check and is recommended in men aged over 45. If you have a family history Numi Scan recommend having this scan prior to 45 years of age.

If you have noticed a mid-line palpable mass in the abdomen or a pulsating mass then you should have an aortic ultrasound scan ASAP to check if you have an aneurysm.

Approximately 6,000 people in England & Wales die every year from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (source: NHS Abdominal Aneurysm Screening Programme). Around 8 out of 10 people with a ruptured AAA either die before they reach hospital or don't survive surgery.

A simple & quick ultrasound scan can detect an aneurysm with instant results. If an aneurysm is found you will need to be regularly monitored to check it doesn't get dangerously larger & can be managed by your clinician reducing negative outcomes.

AAA's are more common in people aged over 65, in particular men. Therefore this scan is essential for people who fall into this high risk category.

Carotid Artery

The carotid artery ultrasound scan is most frequently performed to detect narrowing, or stenosis of the carotid artery, a condition that substantially increases the risk of stroke. It is used as a general screening tool for patients over 45 years or if you have history of cardiovascular disease or at risk of stroke.

The scan will evaluate the size, shape, and outline, measuring also the blood flow velocities in the:

• Common carotid arteries from their origin to bifurcation including intimal thickness
• Internal and external carotid arteries
• Vertebral arteries

Common pathology which can appear on the scan are plaque deposits and subsequent narrowing of the arteries particularly the internal carotid artery which supplies blood to the brain.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Peripheral arterial disease results from a narrowing or stenosis of the arteries which supply oxygenated blood to the legs. This is caused by disease in the wall of arteries known as atheroma, which develops gradually over many years. It begins with cholesterol from the blood being deposited within the wall of arteries, leading to the thickening of the artery wall. This results in a narrowing or stenosis of the artery and a reduction of oxygenated blood flow to the leg.

Common causes are raised cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and lack of exercise, these may all lead to PAD, however smoking & poorly managed diabetes are the most common causes. PAD occurs throughout the body and its consequences depend on which part of the body is affected. In the legs, the arteries become narrowed so that there is insufficient oxygenated blood supply to the exercising muscle. Therefore, you get a pain or cramp in the leg whilst walking, which disappears after a short rest (Intermittent Claudication).

If the arteries to the heart are affected then this may result in breathlessness, angina (chest pains) or even a heart attack. Similarly, a blockage of the carotid arteries to the brain may result in a stroke. Anyone who suffers with PAD is at much greater risk of atheroma to the arteries that supply the heart and the brain. Therefore, such patients are at increased risk of heart attack and stroke.