Color Doppler
Sometimes, doctors find a way to use technology that hits all the right notes — it’s easy on your body, gives fast results, and doesn’t cause any side effects. That’s just the case with Doppler ultrasound, which gives doctors a way to see what’s going on inside your body without X-rays or injections.
Instead, it turns sound waves into images. Your doctor can use it to check for issues with blood flow, such as clots in your veins or blockages in your arteries.It’s one of the main ways to test for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — a condition where blood clots form in veins deep in your body, usually in your legs. DVT can lead to more serious problems, such as a clot in your lungs. It can be life-threatening. So it’s important to get tested if you have symptoms.
Beyond the stunning 3-dimensional and 4-dimensional images that grab everyone’s attention, the Doppler capability of ultrasound is perhaps the most fascinating and informative. It is used in pregnancy to study blood circulation in the fetus, uterus and placenta. Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to detect the movement of blood in vessels, specifically the movement of red blood cells. Those sound waves then are reflected back towards the ultrasound probe that is on the maternal abdomen, when the sound comes in contact with the red blood cells. By comparing the character of the sound waves sent by the ultrasound to the character of the returning sound waves, an ultrasound image is generated. CT Nursing Home in Dhanori, Pune for the best quality ultrasound test Color Doppler Services Dhanori.
An Arterial Doppler test checks the circulation in either your arms or legs. This test relies on the use of blood pressure cuffs (similar to the one used to take your arm blood pressure). It measures and records blood flow patterns and pressures to either the upper or lower extremities. The technologists will also listen to your arteries.
Preparation and Procedure
- Upper Extremity Arterial Doppler – you will be lying on your back.Several blood pressure cuffs may be wrapped around your extremities depending on which test is ordered by your doctor.
- Lower Extremity Arterial Doppler – you may be asked to walk on a treadmill.Several blood pressure cuffs may be wrapped around your extremities depending on which test is ordered by your doctor.
- Those unable to walk, a procedure called Reactive Hyperemia will be done. This involves the tightening of a blood pressure cuff for 5 minutes, which will be fully explained by the technologist.
- Wear clothing that is easy to remove
- There are no diet restrictions
- Please bring a list of medications
Venous ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of the veins in the body. It is commonly used to search for blood clots, especially in the veins of the leg – a condition often referred to as deep vein thrombosis. Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation and has no known harmful effects.
On occasion, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything but water for six to eight hours beforehand. Otherwise, little or no special preparation is required for this procedure. Leave jewelry at home and wear loose, comfortable clothing. You may be asked to wear a gown.
The Renal Artery Doppler Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to assess the blood flow into and out of the kidneys. If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, your doctor may request this exam to determine if there is a narrowing in the blood vessels leading to each kidney from the aorta. Tiny blood vessels within each kidney are also evaluated.
How do I prepare for my exam?
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
- Take all prescribed medications as directed.
- Wear comfortable clothes
An ultrasound probe is placed on the patient’s neck and high frequency sound waves are used to create images of the arteries. Doppler technology is used to analyze the speed and direction of blood flow. The images are displayed on a monitor and are digitally recorded.
- A sonographer will explain the test to you and answer any questions you may have.
- You will be asked to lie flat on an examination table, with your head on a pillow, slightly turned away from the side being examined.
- The sonographer will apply some gel to a small ultrasound probe and position it on one side of your neck. In order to obtain good quality images, it is necessary to apply some pressure with the probe.
- You will hear sounds due to the Doppler.
- Images of the arteries will be recorded and various measurements will be taken.
- The data will be reviewed by a cardiologist and a report will be sent to the doctor(s) involved in your care.
A Doppler ultrasound is a risk-free and pain-free procedure that requires little preparation. The test provides your doctor with important information about the flow of blood through your major arteries and veins. It can also reveal blocked or reduced blood flow through narrowed areas in the arteries, which could eventually lead to a stroke.