Doppler tests are a fascinating and useful tool in modern medicine that use sound waves to measure the flow of blood throughout the body. They can aid in the diagnosis of a variety of blood flow-related conditions, including deep vein thrombosis and carotid artery stenosis.
Here, we will explore the basics of the Doppler test and what to expect prior to and during the test.
What is the Doppler test?
A Doppler test, also known as Doppler ultrasound, is a non-invasive test that uses the sound waves of high frequency to bounce off the circulating red blood cells to estimate the flow of blood through your blood vessels. A regular ultrasound produces images by using sound waves, but it cannot show blood flow.
This test serves as an alternative to more invasive procedures, including angiography, in which a dye is injected into blood vessels to make them visible on X-ray images.
A Doppler test may also be used by your doctor to check for artery injuries as well as to monitor specific treatments for your arteries and veins.
What are the different kinds of Doppler ultrasounds?
There are various types of Doppler ultrasounds. These include:
- Colour Doppler
- Power Doppler
- Duplex ultrasound
- Transcranial Doppler ultrasound
- Spectral Doppler
Why do we need a Doppler test?
A Doppler scan can aid in the diagnosis of a variety of conditions, including:
- An obstructed artery (arterial occlusion)
- Blood clots (for example, deep vein thrombosis, or DVT)
- Arteries bulging or ballooning (aneurysms)
- An artery narrowing, for instance, carotid artery stenosis (narrowing of the artery of the neck)
- Reduced blood circulation to the legs (called peripheral artery disease)
- Congenital heart disease and heart valve defects
- Poorly functional valves in the veins of the legs, which might end up causing blood and other fluids to pool in the legs (venous insufficiency)
A Doppler ultrasound test can also estimate the rate at which blood flows by determining the rate at which its pitch (frequency) changes.
How to prepare for a Doppler test?
You may need to do the following based on the type of ultrasound and the purpose of the test:
- Fast (no eating or drinking) for a specific duration of time before the test.
- For at least 2 hours prior to the test, stop smoking and refrain from using nicotine products. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, which may impact test results.
What happens during the Doppler test?
The patient lies down on a table during a Doppler test, and the technician applies a gel to the skin over the area being examined.
A transducer, a handheld device, is then placed on the skin and moved over the area, emitting sound waves that bounce off the blood cells and generate echoes. The transducer detects the echoes and uses them to generate an image of blood flow on a monitor.
Who might benefit from a Doppler test?
Doppler ultrasound is used by doctors for various reasons.
- To check your blood flow after a surgical procedure or certain treatments
- During pregnancy, to measure the flow of blood between the unborn child and the mother
- For the diagnosis of blood vessel disorders in your abdomen, arms, or legs
What are the possible risks of a Doppler test?
A Doppler test is a low-risk, non-invasive test. It does not require injectable contrast dyes, as an angiogram does, nor does it use radiation, as X-rays or CT scans do. Ultrasounds are neither dangerous nor painful. They are safe enough for doctors to use on pregnant women.
Takeaway
Doppler ultrasound test is a non-invasive, painless method for doctors to evaluate the health of your blood vessels and detect any problems. A Doppler ultrasound can tell you a lot about how much blood is flowing through the circulatory system. This information can assist your doctor in screening for diseases, diagnosing a problem, and determining the efficacy of treatments.
