What is a Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg?
A Doppler ultrasound test uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) that reflect on the red blood cells to determine the flow of blood in blood vessels. By measuring the rate at which the frequency of ultrasound changes, it can also determine the speed at which blood is flowing in the body. It is a non-invasive test. Doppler ultrasound can help diagnose multiple conditions, including blood clots or heart valve defects.
This test can be an alternative to the more invasive tests like angiography, which involves the injection of a dye in the patient's blood vessels for clear visibility on passing x-rays.
A Doppler ultrasound of the arm or leg checks the blood flow through the blood vessels of the arms and legs.
A Doppler ultrasound can be of two types:
- Arterial Doppler ultrasound: It detects the blood flow through arteries in the arms and legs, where any blockage could lead to peripheral vascular disease.
- Venous Doppler ultrasound: It looks at the blood flow through the veins in the arms and legs and checks for clots in the extremities.