Dear FlowNetter`s
	I have some questions regarding the practice of venous mapping in 
other institutions.  We do not do a lot of venous mapping at my hospital 
(I assume most is done by the vascular surgeons in their offices) but 
when we do we are assisited by a radiologist.  We recently did a rather 
long and tedious case of mapping long and short saphenous veins as well 
as mapping a previos graft on a pt. who had suffered a GSW and previous 
fem-pop bypass on his right leg.  
	We wondered about the angle we were insonating at as we mapped 
these veins and how that affects the "accuracy" once the surgeon begins 
to make the incisions.  Is their a standard position in which the leg 
should be placed?  What about cases like this where the pt. could not 
obtain some positions?  Is this mapping usually done by RVT`s only?  If 
so, what about the learning curve as new techs begin to perform these 
procedures?  I would hate to think that pt`s suffer extra incisions 
and/or scarring in the early stages of the learning curve.  
	As you know these can be very time consuming and sometimes it 
does not seem very practical to tie up one of the radiologists for the 
entire exam but we do want what is best for the patient.
	I realize I am probably in the minority by working in a radiology 
dept. rather than a dedicated vascular lab, but hopefully we will get 
there someday.  I look forward to your comments and thank you all in 
advance.

Bill Beymer RDMS, RVT
Parkview Memorial Hospital
Ft. Wayne, IN