Abstract
Background: Recently, the importance of a Vascular Laboratory (Vascular Lab) has become firmly established. We describe the requirements for a Vascular Lab, considering the present situation in our hospital. Method: Blood pressure pulse tests, transthoracic echocardiography, carotid echo, and vein assessment were performed for revascularization patients. A postoperative duplex scan of graft surveillance was performed when possible. Results: A total of 41 patients underwent graft revision or revascularization due to graft failure in 2009 in our institution. Graft occlusion in patients with graft surveillance was significantly less than that in patients without graft surveillance (4.2% vs. 29.4%, p < 0.05). For technologists, knowledge about diseases themselves or their physiology is important. In our hospital, other imaging findings on integrated image information systems have been shown to be useful. When technologists are involved in outpatient clinics for graft surveillance they are guided by a physician. Conclusion: Despite a diversity of Vascular Labs according to the needs of each facility, a high level of technology is essential. Discussion with doctors, centralized management of results, comparison with other imaging findings and responding to urgent requests are also desirable.
