What is Doppler Ultrasound?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 6 years of experience
What is the meaning of Doppler Ultrasound?
A Doppler ultrasound is an imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of how the blood is flowing through the blood vessels. A Doppler ultrasound works by the measurement of the sound waves that are reflected from moving objects, like the red blood cells. This is called the Doppler effect. A Doppler ultrasound is usually recommended if there is a decrease in blood flow in the arteries or veins of the arms, legs, or neck. In this article, we will be discussing in detail Doppler ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound purposes.
- What are the different types of Doppler Ultrasound tests?
- What are the doppler ultrasound purposes?
- Why is a Doppler Ultrasound needed?
- How to prepare for Doppler Ultrasound?
- What is the procedure for a Doppler Ultrasound?
- How to care about Doppler Ultrasound?
- What do the results of a Doppler Ultrasound mean?
- What causes false-positive results in a Doppler Ultrasound?
- What are the benefits of a Doppler Ultrasound?
- What are the risks of Doppler Ultrasound?
- What is the cost of a Doppler Ultrasound in India?
What are the different types of Doppler Ultrasound tests?
The different types of Doppler ultrasound tests include:
- Color Doppler: A computer is used to change the sound waves into different colors. These colors show the direction and speed of the blood flow in real-time.
- Spectral Doppler: This type of test shows the information of blood flow on a graph, rather than colored pictures. It helps in determining how much of a blood vessel is blocked.
- Power Doppler: This is a new type of color Doppler. It provides a more detailed view of the blood flow than a standard color Doppler. However, it is unable to show the direction of the blood flow.
- Duplex Doppler: A standard ultrasound is used to take images of the organs and blood vessels. A computer is then used to turn these images into a graph form.
- Continuous-wave Doppler: The sound waves are sent and received continuously in this test. It provides an accurate measurement of blood flowing at faster speeds.
( Know more about- What is Echocardiography? )
What are the doppler ultrasound purposes?
A Doppler ultrasound is used to check for the blood flow of a person, especially when there are suspected blockages or other irregularities.
A Doppler ultrasound can be used to check for the following:
- Damage of a blood vessel
- Irregularities in the heart structure
- Diagnosis of certain heart conditions
- Blood vessel blockages, like deep vein thrombosis (blood clot formation in a deep vein in the leg)
( Know more about- What is Deep Vein Thrombosis? )
- Hardening and narrowing of blood vessels, which can cause an interruption of blood flow to the legs and feet
- Superficial thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein just under the skin of the legs)
- Thromboangiitis obliterans (a rare disease leading to the swelling of the hands and feet)
- Vascular tumors (a soft tissue growth that is formed in the blood vessels or lymph vessels) in the legs
- Changes in the function of the heart, often along with an electrocardiogram (a test measuring the electrical activity of the heart)
- Changes in the flow of blood after a surgery
- Changes in the flow of blood during pregnancy or in the fetus
( Know more about- What are the types of aneurysms? )
Why is a Doppler Ultrasound needed?
A Doppler ultrasound is generally recommended if a person has symptoms of reduced blood flow to the neck, arms, or legs. The following could lead to a reduced blood flow:
- Blood clot formation in the veins
- Injury to the blood vessels
- Narrowing of the arteries
- Blockages in the arteries
A Doppler ultrasound is recommended in the following conditions:
- Peripheral arterial disease: It is a condition in which fatty deposits get collected in the arteries and restrict the flow of blood. The symptoms of peripheral arterial disease include:
- Coldness in the lower part of the legs or feet
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- Color changes in the skin
- Shiny skin on the legs
- Painful cramping in the hips or muscles of the legs while climbing stairs or walking
- Heart conditions: The following symptoms may be associated with a heart condition:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the legs, feet, or abdomen
( Know more about- What is Heart Bypass Surgery? )
- Other conditions: A Doppler ultrasound may also be recommended in the following conditions:
- Injury to blood vessels
- Blood flow disorder that is being treated
- Stroke (interrupted blood supply to the brain). A special type of Doppler ultrasound, known as a transcranial Doppler is performed to check the blood flow to the brain
- Suspected blood flow problem during pregnancy to the mother or the unborn baby, like if the fetus is smaller than expected
( Know more about- What is Cerebrovascular Diseases? )
How to prepare for Doppler Ultrasound?
- Remove any jewelry or metal accessories before the examination, as they may interfere with the examination results.
- Avoid nicotine products like tobacco and cigarettes at least two to four before a Doppler ultrasound. Nicotine products can lead to the narrowing of the blood vessels, which affects the results.
- You will be asked to change into a hospital gown, as per the area of the body that is being examined.
- In the case of an abdominal (stomach area) scan, you will be asked to eat a low-fiber diet a day before the procedure, to minimize the gas in the gut.
- The doctor may give an enema (insertion of a liquid or gas into the rectum to empty the bowels) for the scan of the lower abdomen.
- In case of a pelvic (the region below the abdomen) Doppler ultrasound, you need to drink at least 32 ounces of water one hour before the procedure to obtain a full bladder and for the test to be effective.
( Know more about- What is Peripheral Angiography? )
What is the procedure for a Doppler Ultrasound?
- The patient lies on the table, exposing the area of the body which is being tested.
- A special gel is spread on the skin of the area being examined.
- A wand-like device, known as a transducer, is moved over the examination area.
- The transducer sends sound waves into the body.
- The blood cell movements lead to a change in the pitch of the sound waves. Pulse-like or swishing sounds may be heard during the procedure.
- The waves that are recorded are turned into graphs or images on a monitor.
- Once the test is over, the gel will be wiped off the body.
- The test takes approximately half an hour to one hour to complete.
( Know more about- What is Coronary Angiography? )
How to care after Doppler Ultrasound?
- You can resume your normal activities immediately after a Doppler ultrasound.
- Usually, there are no special instructions that need to be followed after a Doppler ultrasound.
- The examination is painless, but you may feel pressure at points where the transducer needs to be pressed into the skin.
- The results of the Doppler ultrasound are obtained once the radiologist views the images obtained by the test.
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What do the results of a Doppler Ultrasound mean?
- The results of a Doppler ultrasound help in the determination of the health of the arteries and veins of the patient.
- Normal results indicate that the images obtained do not show any irregularities, like narrowing of blood vessels or blockages.
- An irregularity may indicate:
- Blood clot
- Narrowing of a blood vessel
- Blockage in the artery or vein, which could be a sign of cholesterol build-up
- Coronary artery spasm (tightening of an artery in heart, mostly due to stress)
- Abnormal blood flow
- Aneurysm (ballooning of the arterial walls)
- The doctor will diagnose the condition according to the results obtained and start with the treatment, if required, accordingly.
( Know more about- What is Brain Aneurysm Surgery? )
What causes false-positive results in a Doppler Ultrasound?
Certain factors may lead to false-positive results, giving rise to ambiguity about the abnormalities present. These factors may include:
- Obesity
- Patient movement during the procedure
- Presence of an open wound in the area that is being scanned
- Presence of other medical conditions like heart diseases and abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), which can cause changes in the patterns of the blood flow. Blood vessels may however be normal in such disorders
- Smoking before an ultrasound
- Gas in the intestine
( Know more about- What is the diet guide for heart patients? )
What are the benefits of a Doppler Ultrasound?
The benefits of a Doppler ultrasound are:
- Painless
- Non-invasive
- No use of radiation
- Preferred over some of the invasive diagnostic procedures
( Know more about- What are the home remedies for chest pain? )
What are the risks of Doppler Ultrasound?
- There are no known risks associated with a Doppler ultrasound.
- It does not use radiation and is, therefore, a safe procedure, even for pregnant women and unborn babies
What is the cost of a Doppler Ultrasound in India?
The total cost of Doppler ultrasound in India can range from around INR 1,000 to INR 12,000, depending on the type of procedure done. However, many prominent hospital doctors in India specialize in Doppler ultrasound. But the cost varies across different hospitals.
If you are coming from abroad, apart from the cost of Doppler ultrasound, there will be an additional cost of living in a hotel and the cost of local travel. So, the total cost of Doppler ultrasound in India comes to a total of INR 1300 to INR 16,000.
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding Doppler ultrasound and doppler ultrasound purposes through this article.
If you need more information about Doppler ultrasound and doppler ultrasound purposes, you can contact a Radiologist.
We only aim to provide you with information through this article. We do not recommend any medication or treatment to anyone. Only a qualified doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
