The vascular laboratory in practice: a national survey in the Netherlands

AbstractObjectives: 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 125cm/s is used to identify a>70% or internal carotid artery stenosis. In 44% (n=39) a PSV of 210cm/s and 10% (n=9) a PSV≥150cm/s is used. For grading a relevant stenosis in the femoro-politeal arteries a PSV ratio≥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