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Updated: Jul 29, 2026
A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
The vascular laboratory in practice: a national survey in the Netherlands
S Spronk1, W Dolman, R U Boelhouwer
1Vascular Laboratory, Ikazia Hospital, Montessoriweg 1, 3083 AN Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Objectives:
to overview Dutch vascular laboratory practice and specifically the variation in duplex criteria.
Methods:
a questionnaire was sent to all vascular laboratories in The Netherlands (n=140).
Results:
the response rate of the inquiry was 64% (n=89). There is no consensus on interpretation of outcome. In 22% of the clinics (n=20) a diagnostic angiography will be omitted when a percutaneous angioplasty is advised on account of duplex ultrasound. Only 5% (n=4) relies upon duplex ultrasound for operation without diagnostic angiography. In 44% (n=39) a PSV (peak systolic velocity) of 125 cm/s is used to identify a>70% or internal carotid artery stenosis. In 44% (n=39) a PSV of 210 cm/s and 10% (n=9) a PSV > or =150 cm/s is used. For grading a relevant stenosis in the femoro-politeal arteries a PSV ratio > or =2.5 is chosen in 75% (n=67). Criteria used for graft surveillance shows also a wide variation.
Conclusions:
a commission for the accreditation of vascular laboratories should be established with the goal of creating standards and performing quality control.
