Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg:
Doppler ultrasound test uses sound waves (high frequency sound wave) with high frequency. It helps to estimate the flow of blood in the blood vessels. This test measures the rate of blood flow at which the frequency of the ultrasound changes. It can also determine the speed of circulation of blood in the body. This is a non-invasive test that can help diagnose a number of conditions, including blood clots or heart valve disease .
This test can be a great alternative to more invasive tests, such as angiography , which requires the injection of dye into a patient's blood vessels to obtain clearer pictures .
Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg also examines blood flow through the blood vessels.
Types of Doppler ultrasound:
There are two types of Doppler ultrasound:
Arterial Doppler Ultrasound:
Arterial Doppler ultrasound: This detects blood flow through the arteries in the arms and legs, where any blockage can cause peripheral vascular disease .
Venus Doppler Ultrasound:
Venus Doppler ultrasound: This traces blood flow through the veins of the arms and legs and checks for clots.
Reasons for doing Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg:
You have poor blood flow in your arteries and/or veins. So your doctor suggests a Doppler ultrasound, that
Some conditions that can reduce blood flow include:
blockage of an artery due to a problem such as a blood clot
injury or damage to blood vessels
Your doctor suggests a Doppler ultrasound ultrasound of the arm or leg if you have symptoms of the following conditions:
Atherosclerosis:
A condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs become narrow and hardened.
Deep vein thrombosis:
A condition in which a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside the body (usually seen in the legs and pelvis).
Thrombotonitis obliterans:
A condition in which the blood vessels of the limbs (the arms and legs in humans are referred to as the upper limbs and lower limbs, respectively) become inflamed.
Superficial thrombophlebitis:
Swelling caused by blood clots in the veins below the surface of the skin.
vascular tumors in the arms and legs
Additionally, Doppler ultrasound may be suggested to determine arterial blood pressure, monitor arterial healing after cardiac bypass grafting surgery, and assess arterial injuries.
Who doesn't have doppler ultrasound of hand or foot?
Anyone can have a Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg, it is safe even in pregnancy . Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to detect the movement of blood in blood vessels. With the help of this test, the circulation of blood in the fetus, uterus and placenta can be studied during pregnancy. Even in high-risk pregnancy cases, its use does not provide any information about the condition of the baby.
How to prepare for Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg?
No special preparation is needed before a Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg, but if you smoke , stop smoking a few hours before the test, as it causes the blood vessels to constrict, which can affect the test results. may be affected.
What is the procedure for Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg?
You may be asked to wear a gown provided by the hospital or diagnostic center before the Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg. There should be no clothing or jewelery on the arms or legs to be examined. The procedure for this ultrasound is as follows:
You will be asked to lie down on the examination table. The doctor or radiologist will then apply the gel (water-soluble) to the transducer (a handheld device that emits ultrasound waves into the blood vessels) and then place the transducer on different parts of the limb to read the blood pressure from different parts of the limb. Will keep
Now a computer will create a graph and photo of the blood flow in this part, based on the data obtained from the sound waves.
An arterial Doppler ultrasound can take about half an hour for each arm or leg, while a Venus Doppler ultrasound can take up to 20 minutes for each arm or leg.
How would you feel on a Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg?
You will not feel any discomfort during the Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg. Arterial Doppler ultrasound is a painless procedure. However, during the Venus Doppler ultrasound, the technician may apply pressure to the vein there to look for a blood clot, which may make you feel uncomfortable for a while. Also, don't worry if you hear a "whoosh"-like sound during the test , as this is simply a sign that the transducer is detecting blood flow.
Doppler ultrasound results of the arm or leg:
If the result of this test is abnormal, it may indicate any of the following conditions:
Blockage of artificial bypass graft
spastic arterial disease, in which stress or cold weather can cause narrowing of the arteries
narrowing or widening of the arteries
damage to blood vessels, which can lead to poor circulation
blood clots in blood vessels
deep vein thrombosis
Blockage of arteries due to high cholesterol
superficial thrombophlebitis
arteriosclerosis in the limbs
Vascular tumors in arm and leg
venous occlusion
thrombonitis obliterans (Berger's syndrome)
Risks and benefits of Doppler ultrasound of the hands and feet?
There are no known risks associated with this test, while it has the following benefits:
Radiation is not used in this
it is non-aggressive
it is usually painless
What happens after a doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg?
You do not need any special care after this test. You can eat your normal diet and start your daily activities.
Other tests may be done with Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg.
Depending on the condition of the diagnosis, the doctor may suggest other tests. For example, in case of deep vein thrombosis, they may ask for a venography, MRI or CT scan .