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Diagnosing unusual conditions
Arteriogram
The hospital staff repeated a doppler scan, kept her in the hospital and followed up two days later with an arteriogram of the legs. The tests showed major blockages (ischemias) and narrowed areas (stenoses) in major leg arteries of both legs. Fortunately they used a high dose of corticosteroids to prepare her for the arteriogram since iodine dye is used and Pearl is allergic to iodine. The corticosteroids in retrospect opened up the arteries sufficient for the crisis to pass.
Doppler scans were repeated by the Vascular Surgeon about every two years to monitor status of the legs.
An angiogram of the heart and upper abdomen was done a few years later by the Cardiologist in February, 2003. All heart and abdomen arteries were found to be completely clear of atherosclerotic plaque.