The Peripheral Arterial Evaluation is a noninvasive test that is done to help the physician find out if the arteries of your legs or arms are blocked or narrowed by peripheral vascular disease. When there is blockage or narrowing of the leg or arm arteries, you may have pain, coldness, numbness, paleness, bluish or reddish discoloration, or non-healing ulcers in the affected limb. The test uses ultrasound and blood pressure cuffs to record the blood pressure at different levels in the limb.

For this test you will be asked to lie quietly while a technologist moves a small instrument called a transducer over your legs or arms. During the Doppler portion of the exam you will hear your blood flow with your heartbeat. Blood pressure cuffs will be placed at several levels on your legs or arms, and the pressures will be recorded. By analyzing the measurements made by the blood pressure cuffs at the ankles, calves, and the thighs, the degree of narrowing of the arteries can be determined. You may experience mild to moderate discomfort when the cuffs are inflated to check the pressure. You may be asked to exercise your legs after the ultrasound and blood pressure recording portion of the test, which takes approximately 5 minutes. The resulting images and numbers are recorded and stored in your record. The test takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes, and the doctor usually reads the test in about two to three working days.