Welcome to Otago Vascular Diagnostics

We are a team of vascular surgeons, technologists and research staff using various diagnostic investigations to research the causes and management of vascular conditions.

Clinical Services

The unit provides clinical diagnostic services to the Southern District Health Board, and to the wider community, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases such as:

• deep vein thrombosis
• carotid artery disease
• peripheral vascular disease
• aortic aneurysms
• varicose veins and venous ulcers

Our Services Include:

medical imaging using ultrasound to capture real-time images of blood vessels and blood flow; physiological testing to measure how well the vascular system is functioning both during exercise and at rest; treatment of varicose veins and vascular malformations using endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) and sclerotherapy.

Research

The unit is part of the Vascular Research Group and works closely with other research groups at local, national and international levels. Many patients participate in a wide variety of research projects, enabling the unit to make valuable contributions to the field of vascular research.

Teaching

Otago Vascular Diagnostics is a teaching laboratory active in training vascular technologists. 

Trainees work under supervision while studying for the Diploma of Medical Ultrasonography (DMU). This is an internationally recognised qualification in diagnostic ultrasound awarded by the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM).

For enquiries regarding training please contact the lab manager, Gerry Hill.

Contact Us

To find us, take the lift from the main entrance lobby on Great King St to the 4th floor.  The waiting room is adjacent to the 4th floor lift lobby. On arrival, please ring the bell on the waiting room wall.

Staff

Publications

Vincent J, Jones GT, Hill G, van Rij AM. Failure of microvenous valves in small superficial veins is a key to the skin changes of venous insufficiency. Journal of Vascular Surgery (2011) In press

Jones GT, Grant MW, Hill GB, Thomson IA, van Rij AM.  Characterization of a Porcine Model of Chronic Superficial Varicose Veins.  Journal of Vascular Surgery 49:(6)1554-1561 (2009)  doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2009.01.070

Jones GT, van Rij AM, Hill GB, Wilkins GT, & Williams MJA. (2008). Common carotid intimal-medial thickness is associated with coronary in-stent restenosis. Journal for Vascular Ultrasound, 32(3),129-132.

van Rij AM, De Alwis CS, Jiang P, Christie RA, Hill GB, Dutton SJ, & Thomson IA. (2008). Obesity and impaired venous function. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 35, 739-744  doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2008.01.006

van Rij AM, Jones GT, Hill BG, Amer M, Thomson IA, Pettigrew RA, & Packer SGK. (2008). Mechanical inhibition of angiogenesis at the saphenofemoral junction in the surgical treatment of varicose veins: Early results of a blinded randomized controlled trial. Circulation, 118, 66-74  doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.726869

Hill G, Albayati S, Thomson I, MacFarlane J, Dutton S, van Rij AM.  Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms: optimal management and treatment options. Journal for Vascular Ultrasound 31(3) 131-135 (2007)

Additional Publications

Links

• www.vascular.co.nz
  An information resource on vascular surgery and conditions managed by vascular surgeons.
• Vascular Research Consortium of New Zealand
• Society for Vascular Ultrasound
• RadiologyInfo.org
  “The radiology information resource for patients”
• Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine