Doppler ultrasound is a test for the earliest possible detection of even minor diseases of the arteries and veins, which may consequently lead to a stroke, heart attack or pulmonary embolism. What is a Doppler ultrasound?

Doppler ultrasoundallows you to examine the condition of veins and arteries. It is possible thanks to the ultrasound examination using the so-called Doppler effect. The ultrasound wave sent by a special head traverses the body, then bounces off the moving medium (e.g. flowing blood) and returns to the head.

The head is connected by a cable to an ultrasound machine, which records changes in the frequency of the ultrasound wave reflected from flowing blood and presents it on the monitor.

Doppler ultrasound - what is it?

The doctor who performsDoppler ultrasoundcan see where the blood flows slower and faster, where it can go back, e.g. because venous valves do not close.

The Doppler attachment for the ultrasound machine allows you to measure blood flow through the vessels, which gives an idea of ​​the cross-section and capacity of the examinedarteriesandveins . The test is also used to assess the blood supply to certain organs and detect neoplastic tumors, because most of them are heavily supplied with blood.

Doppler ultrasound - preparation for the examination

You don't have to prepare yourself for the Doppler. Only for the examination of the liver and renal arteries it is necessary to come on an empty stomach.

There are also no age restrictions (even for small children) and they can be repeated many times. It is also non-invasive and painless, so it does not require anesthesia.

Doppler ultrasound - how is the examination done?

In the office, you reveal the part of your body you are examining and lie down on the couch. The doctor puts a special gel on your skin, which facilitates the penetration of the ultrasound wave and the movement of the head. Then he places the ultrasound machine head and walks it around, observing the image on the monitor screen. After the initial assessment of the appearance of the vessels, the Doppler part begins, i.e. the blood flow test.

Although Doppler examination is similar to regular ultrasound, it is additionally accompanied by a sound effect - computer-processed noise of blood flowing through the vessels. For the doctor, the disturbance in this hype is additionalinformation.

We get the result right away. The doctor describes any changes, their location and appearance. Depending on the type of device, the description may include a diagram or a colored drawing.

Doppler ultrasound - what diseases can it detect?

  • Carotid arteries. The device records the speed of blood flow in the arteries and allows you to determine the places where atherosclerotic changes have occurred.
  • Subclavian arteries. The blood supply to our hands depends on their patency. When the arteries are narrowed, our hands may become numb, for example.
  • Heart. Doppler examination is often combined with the so-called an echo of the heart. It is then invaluable in detecting valve defects.
  • Abdominal organs (liver, spleen, pancreas and kidneys). The test helps to detect, among others, their damage, ischemia, inflammatory changes.
  • Sex organs. It allows you to detect some causes of erectile dysfunction. It reveals varicose veins, which may cause infertility.
  • Legs. The arteries are looking for strictures and blocked places that may cause poor blood supply to the feet. When examining the veins, attention is paid, inter alia, to the condition of the valves (their regurgitation is the cause of varicose veins).
  • Tumors. The blood flow in the lymph nodes is assessed, and liver tumors are differentiated in terms of their malignancy. Among the many thyroid nodules, there are those that require a biopsy.

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