A Doppler ultrasound This is an image analysis that uses sound waves to show the movement of blood in blood vessels. Conventional ultrasound It also uses sound waves to create images of structures in the body, but does not have the ability to demonstrate blood flow.
Doppler ultrasound Doppler works by measuring sound waves reflected from moving objects such as red blood cells. This is known as the Doppler effect.
There are different types of Doppler ultrasound Tests. These include
- Color Doppler. This Doppler image uses a computer to convert sound waves into different colors. These colors indicate the speed and purpose of blood flow in real time.
- New images of energy Doppler and color Doppler. It can provide more detailed information about blood flow than traditional color Doppler. However, in some cases it cannot show the destination of important blood flow.
- Spectral Doppler. This analysis displays blood flow information as a graph rather than a color image. This can be helpful in showing which parts of a vessel are occluded.
- Duplex Doppler. This test uses a standardized ultrasound pictures of the blood vessels and organs. The computer then converts the image into a graph, similar to spectral Doppler imaging.
- Continuous Wave Doppler. In this test, sound waves are sent and received continuously. This allows us to more literally measure the size of blood flowing at higher speeds.
Also known as: Dopplerography.
What is it used for?
Doppler ultrasound This test helps medical professionals identify if a person is in a position that decreases or interrupts blood flow. It can also be used to diagnose some heart conditions. The most common uses of this test are
- Checking heart function. This is often done in conjunction with an electrocardiogram, a test that measures the electrical signals to the heart.
- Look for obstructions in blood flow. Blocked blood flow in the legs can cause a condition called potential venous thrombosis (DVT).
- Check for damaged blood vessels and heart defects.
- Look for narrowing of blood vessels. If the arteries in your arms or legs are narrowed, you may have a condition called peripheral arterial disease (PAD). If the arteries in the neck are narrowed, you may have a condition called carotid artery stenosis.
- Monitor blood flow after surgery.
- Test for normal blood flow in the pregnant woman and fetus.
Why Doppler is needed ultrasound ?
Doppler testing may be needed ultrasound If there are signs of decreased blood flow or heart disease. Signs depend on the condition causing the problem. Below are some common symptoms and signs of blood flow
Signs of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) include
- Numbness or helplessness in the legs
- Painful cramps in the thigh or leg muscles when walking or climbing stairs
- An icy cold feeling in the lower legs or feet
- Discoloration or glistening skin on the feet.
Symptoms of heart problems include
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the legs, feet, or stomach
- Fatigue
Doppler may be needed ultrasound if you:
- Heart attack. After a heart attack, the doctor may order a special Doppler pattern called transcranial Doppler to examine blood flow to the brain.
- There was trauma to the blood vessels.
- You are treated for decreased blood flow.
- You are pregnant and your doctor believes that you or your fetus has a blood flow problem. Your doctor may suspect a problem if the fetus is smaller than it should be at this stage of pregnancy or if there are certain health problems. For example, sickle cell anemia or preeclampsia, a type of high blood pressure in pregnant women.
What happens during Doppler ultrasound ?
A Doppler ultrasound Usually involves appropriate milestones.
- You lie down on the bed and show the body part under investigation.
- The caregiver applies a special gel to the skin in the area.
- The caregiver moves the transducer, a rod-shaped device, to the ground.
- The device sends sound waves to your body.
- Due to the movement of the blood cells, the sound waves change in pitch. During the procedure, a mouth soling or pulsing sound is heard.
- The waves are recorded and converted into an image or graph on the monitor.
- After the test is complete, the physician will wipe the gel from your body.
- The test takes 30-60 minutes to complete.
Do I need to make anything in preparation for the test?
To prepare for the Doppler ultrasound , you may need to:
- Remove clothing and decorations from the body part where the test is being done.
- Do not smoke cigarettes or other products containing nicotine 2 hours prior to the test. Nicotine guarantees narrowing of the blood vessels and may affect the results.
- Some types of Doppler tests ask you to fast (do not eat or drink) a few hours before the test.
Your doctor will tell you if you should do anything to prepare for the test.
Were there any risks associated with the test?
There are no general risks associated with performing Doppler. ultrasound . It is still harmless during pregnancy.
What do the results mean?
If your results are not normal, this may mean that you have
- Blocked arteries or blood clots.
- Narrow blood vessels
- Abnormal blood flow
- Aneurysms, spherical irregularities in the arteries. This causes the artery to stretch and become vulnerable. If the walls are very close together, the artery can tear, causing life-threatening bleeding.
The results can indicate whether the upcoming baby has a blood flow disorder.
The meaning of the results will depend on which areas of the body were tested. If you have questions about the results, consult your physician.
With permission of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine.
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