Doppler ultrasound
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Doppler ultrasound
A Doppler ultrasound (or duplex scanning) is a medical test that uses reflected sound waves to estimate the speed and direction of blood as it flows through a blood vessel. It helps doctors evaluate blood flow through arteries and veins.
Doppler ultrasound can be used to evaluate the vessels in several areas of the body. For example, a Doppler ultrasound test of the blood vessels in the neck (carotid ultrasound) can be done to estimate a person's risk of a stroke from blockage in those arteries. Renal ultrasound can help detect kidney problems. Lower extremity ultrasound can be used to detect a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs. A Doppler ultrasound also may be used to evaluate problems with the blood flow to the placenta and umbilical cord in a pregnant woman; problems with this blood flow may indicate fetal distress.
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kenneth B. Sutherland, CD, BSc, MD, FRCPC - Diagnostic Radiology |
| Last Updated | January 17, 2007 |
| Last updated: | January 17, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology, Kenneth B. Sutherland, CD, BSc, MD, FRCPC - Diagnostic Radiology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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