Arterial Doppler Studies

What are arterial Doppler studies?

An arterial Doppler study is a painless procedure that uses sound waves to look at the blood flow in your arteries. High-frequency sound waves are sent into your blood vessels. A computer uses echoes of the ultrasound waves to show blood flow in your blood vessels. Fast blood flow usually means the artery is partially blocked.

When are they used?

The test is usually used to tell your doctor if the artery in your neck that carries blood to the brain (the carotid artery) is partially blocked. Blockage of the carotid artery may put you at high risk of having a stroke. The test is also used to check the blood flow through your leg arteries. Blockage in the blood vessels in the legs may cause pain in your legs when you walk. Sometimes the test is used on a blood vessel in the arm to check how the blood vessels in your body are working.

How do I prepare for the procedure?

No special preparation is necessary. You might be asked to change into a hospital gown.

What happens during the procedure?

The procedure usually lasts about 45 minutes.

You will lie on a table and a technologist will put clear jelly on your skin over various arteries. This helps the Doppler sensor slide around easily. Clear jelly also helps the sensor send sound waves through your skin. Some probes are placed flat against the skin, while smaller tipped probes are held at angle.

A normal artery sounds like it has several "beats" each time the heart pumps blood through the artery. The first sound occurs when the heart squeezes blood through the arteries. The following beats are lower in pitch and are due to differences in blood speed within the artery. This may be due to valve problems, poor flexibility of the arterial wall, or blockage. Hearing multiple beats suggests that there is no major blockage near the Doppler site. On the other hand, a Doppler signal that lacks multiple beats and is of lower pitch indicates a problem.

What happens after the procedure?

After the procedure, you can go home and go back to your normal activities.

Your healthcare provider will review the results and let you know what the pictures show.

What are the risks and benefits of this procedure?

There is no risk with this procedure. This procedure helps your healthcare provider diagnose circulation problems you might have. It can help your provider plan your treatment.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider during office hours if:

• You have questions about the procedure or its result.
• You want to make another appointment.