What is a Venous Doppler Ultrasound?
A venous doppler ultrasound is a diagnostic exam using high frequency sound waves to study the venous blood flow in one or both of your legs or arms. Ultrasound is safe and does not involve the use of any injections or radiation.
How is the examination performed?
A Registered Ultrasound Technologist will perform your examination and can answer any questions you may have. A venous doppler ultrasound is done by placing a small amount of warm ultrasound gel on your leg or arm and by pressing a small probe or transducer over the area to be imaged.
Who is a candidate for a Venous Doppler Ultrasound?
A venous doppler ultrasound can sometimes be ordered for patients that have pain, swelling, redness on their leg or arm and there is a concern that a blood clot has formed causing a decrease or stoppage of blood flow through the vessel.
Will I need to prepare for the exam?
No, there isn’t any preparation for this exam. You may want to wear comfortable clothing or shorts as the technologist will need to scan your entire leg from your hip down to your ankle. You will be covered for your privacy.
What will I experience?
You will be asked to lie down on your back. The Technologist will place some warm gel on you and begin pressing the transducer or probe into your arm or leg. A series of images will be taken that last about 30 minutes. Following your images, the Technologist will give you a towel to wipe off the gel and you are done.
What happens next?
The technologist will analyze your images and send them to the Radiologist’s computer for interpretation.
The Radiologists, a State of New Mexico licensed and board certified Physician, specialized in radiology interpretation will read your images. A report will be recorded and transcribed then sent to your Physician who will explain the results to you.