Venous Evaluation.

The vascular lab (VL) provides unequalled information regarding venous disease especially in the depiction and characterization of venous waveforms. This article provides the indications, protocol, and diagnostic criteria for peripheral and central venous disease and venous mapping. Venous evaluation is one of the most common studies performed at vascular labs (VL). Patient may present with swelling for evaluation of thrombosis, central obstruction, or venous insufficiency, or may need preoperative planning prior to a bypass or dialysis access creation. It is my hope that the added value a VL brings to the sonographic evaluation of veins, beyond the compressibility of the veins, is the utmost respect and attention to the depiction and characterization of the venous waveform.

Getting started: Space, Equipment, Policy and Procedure, Structured Reporting, and Personnel.

Setting up a vascular lab (VL) requires initial substantial capital, personnel, real-estate, and time commitment and requires support from leadership and champions. There are certain tangible building blocks for a successful VL. The more time and effort that are leant to these foundational components, the better the VL will operate. This article will discuss the preliminary measures that need to be in place for a successful VL. This article describes space, equipment, policy and procedure, structured reporting, and personnel - the tangible building blocks for a successful VL that needs advanced planning and implementation.