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The movement of blood through veins is monitored using ultrasound waves. Regular ultrasound also uses ultrasound waves to create images of structures within the body, but it cannot show the movement and flow of blood.

This painless method examines arterial and venous blood vessels, and it is possible to detect the condition of both superficial and deep veins, as well as early detection of other diseases. Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels is crucial for diagnosing venous thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, and varicose veins. Read on to learn more about this method.

What is Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels and how does it work?

The Doppler test is named after the “Doppler effect,” which refers to measuring sound waves reflected through moving objects, such as red blood cells. There are different types of Doppler tests, with the color Doppler test being the most common.

The color Doppler test uses specialized computer programs to convert ultrasound waves into different colors, which represent the speed and direction of blood flow. With color Doppler, we can track changes in the frequency of ultrasound waves and show organ perfusion.

The Doppler technique has a wide range of applications and is used for examining arteries and veins, blood vessels of the kidneys, liver, and other abdominal organs, nephrology, urology, and gynecology.

How is color Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels performed and what is it used for?

As previously mentioned, Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels is a painless and non-invasive test that can diagnose a wide range of health issues, such as impaired heart function and obstructed or narrowed blood vessels.

However, Doppler can also be used for preventive examinations, such as checking normal blood flow in pregnant women and their unborn babies. Due to its non-invasive and safe nature, Doppler testing is suitable during pregnancy.

For the test, you will be asked to lie down on a bed and expose the area being examined. A special gel is applied to the area, which allows the transducer (probe) to glide smoothly over the skin. The machine then sends sound waves through your body, which you will hear as pulsations during the examination.

The recorded ultrasound waves are displayed as images or graphs on a monitor. The procedure is completely painless, but the test takes between 30 and 60 minutes, and it concludes with the removal of the gel from your body.

How should you prepare for a color Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels?

Before undergoing a Doppler ultrasound, your doctor will give you detailed instructions, as some types of Doppler tests may require you to fast for several hours prior to the procedure.

Smoking is generally not recommended before any type of testing, as nicotine constricts blood vessels, which can affect the accuracy of the final results. Since you will be asked to remove clothing from the area being tested, wear comfortable clothing and remove any jewelry before the test.

Doppler ultrasound of the legs

Patients with visibly swollen veins, leg swelling, pain while walking, or injury are often referred for a Doppler ultrasound of the legs. If your leg has been in a cast for an extended period, along with recommended home physiotherapy services, a preventive Doppler ultrasound of the legs is usually advised.

All of these factors can affect poor venous circulation, necessitating a comprehensive preventive examination.

Preventive examinations can detect the condition of deep veins, as well as stenosis (narrowing), occlusions (blockages), aneurysms (enlargements) of veins, perforators, and valve conditions. Timely detection of damage is crucial for preventing further complications, which can be severe, such as gangrene and thrombosis.

Preventive Doppler ultrasound of the legs is recommended for people who have previously experienced such issues as thrombosis or have genetic predispositions and a family history of the disease. Additionally, anyone experiencing tingling or coldness in the legs should undergo an examination.

How is Doppler ultrasound of the legs performed?

Doppler ultrasound of the lower extremities is performed in the same way as previously described, with differences in the testing only pertaining to the targeting of specific body regions.

Doppler ultrasound of the arms

Doppler ultrasound of the arms and upper extremities also examines the condition of arteries, veins, and vascular structures. This examination can detect arterial blockages or pathological enlargement of vessel walls, and it can help prevent venous thrombosis as well as rarer disorders like peripheral artery disease and pulmonary embolism.

Doppler ultrasound of the head and neck

Doppler ultrasound of the neck and head can reveal deposits and plaques that narrow the lumen of blood vessels. Color Doppler of the carotid arteries, which carry blood from the heart to the brain, is the best preventive test for potential stroke.

Doppler ultrasound of the kidneys

Doppler ultrasound of the kidneys uses ultrasound waves to assess blood flow through the renal arteries to detect and prevent narrowing, enlargement, and interruption of blood flow through the renal arteries, or occlusions of the renal arteries.

Doppler ultrasound of the heart

Doppler ultrasound of the heart is intended for patients with suspected cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or those with a family history of heart disease, as well as high-risk groups—obese individuals and smokers.

If you need reliable and safe examination of blood vessels with the latest Doppler equipment, contact or visit Eliksir Medical, a specialized internal medicine hospital equipped to the highest international standards.

In addition to specialized examinations and diagnostic procedures, we offer inpatient care, palliative care, as well as day hospital care, home care, and patient transport services. Eliksir Medical and its expert, service-oriented, and attentive staff provide the best service and personalized approach to each problem, as evidenced by our numerous satisfied clients who continue to trust us with the care of their loved ones and family members.