Ultrasound Scan:
Palmer Arch Assessment

This scan usually takes between 15 minutes to complete.

This ultrasound requires direct contact with your skin. We will require you to remove any jackets and jumpers.

We will ask you to sit on our examination bed. During the scan we will apply gel to your arm and use the ultrasound machine to look at the the arteries. You will hear noises from the ultrasound machine; this is all normal and is the sound of the blood flow moving through your arteries. We will apply intermittent compression on your forearm to mimic the scenario of if this vessel is removed. We will also use a PPG on your finger while we perform these intermittent compressions.

This scan assesses the suitability of the radial artery to be used as a conduit for a heart bypass graft. A Palmer Arch study involves assessing the radial artery in both arms and mimicking the scenario if they were to be removed. This scan allows us to examine whether sufficient blood flow will perfuse the hand via the presence of a 'palmer arch'. Approximately 84% of people have this palmer arch connection.