Clinical assessment of the patient with claudication: the role of the vascular laboratory.

The noninvasive vascular laboratory aids in the evaluation of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Several qualitative and quantitative noninvasive tests are useful for diagnosing PAD and monitoring patients' response to treatment. These tests include Doppler ultrasonography, pulse volume recording, segmental blood pressure measurement, exercise testing, post-occlusive reactive hyperemia testing, transcutaneous oximetry and color-assisted ultrasound imaging. Each test has specific utility and can be used either individually or in combination with other noninvasive tests to obtain information about the hemodynamic and functional severity of peripheral atherosclerosis in patients with claudication.