Doppler Ultrasound
What is a Doppler ultrasound?
A Doppler ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to create images of blood flow within the circulatory system. It provides crucial information about the direction and speed of blood flow through veins, arteries, and the heart.
Healthcare providers use the results of a Doppler ultrasound to detect problems with the heart and blood vessels.
There are different types of Doppler ultrasounds, including:
- Spectral Doppler: Represents blood flow over time in a graph, displaying the velocity of blood flow.
- Color Doppler: Uses color to represent the direction and speed of blood flow, with different colors indicating the flow toward or away from the probe.
- Power Doppler: Displays the presence of blood flow, including very slow flow, and is particularly useful for examining blood flow within organs.
- Duplex ultrasound: Combines Doppler ultrasound with traditional ultrasound imaging to visualize blood vessels and detect blockages or measure vessel width.
- Transcranial Doppler ultrasound: Examines blood flow in the brain to detect conditions such as subarachnoid hemorrhages or strokes.
How do Doppler ultrasounds improve healthcare?
Doppler ultrasounds can be used to diagnose:
- Blood clots
- Narrowed arteries or veins
- Blood vessel injuries
- Renal vascular causes of hypertension
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Tumors in blood vessels
They can also help healthcare providers evaluate a transplant organ’s blood supply or assess blood flow between a pregnant woman and her unborn child.
As an imaging method, Doppler ultrasound enhances the quality of care by enabling healthcare providers to better diagnose and monitor cardiovascular conditions, leading to more accurate and timely interventions.