Leg Arterial Doppler Ultrasound
What is a leg arterial ultrasound?
A leg arterial ultrasound is a vascular ultrasound that uses ultrasound technology to create images of your blood vessels, such as your veins and arteries.
Why is a leg arterial ultrasound used?
A leg arterial sonogram may be used for:
- Planning for procedures in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
- Monitoring for the return of blockages after stent or graft procedures
- Assessing the general health of arteries and veins
A standard ultrasound can only provide your doctor with images of your blood vessels. In order to see how your blood flows through your veins and arteries, a Doppler ultrasound can be used. An arterial Doppler ultrasound may help in the diagnosis of various conditions, such as:
- Blood clots
- Damaged or dysfunctional valves in the veins of your legs
- Defects of your heart valve
- Congenital heart disease
- Low blood circulation to your legs
- Aneurysms
- Carotid artery stenosis
What does a leg arterial ultrasound involve?
A leg arterial ultrasound involves your doctor using ultrasound imaging to get an inside look at the arteries in your legs. The procedure begins with your doctor placing a gel on the surface of your skin and running a medical tool, called a probe, over your skin. Sound waves from the probe are used to produce an image of the inside of your arteries.
During a Doppler ultrasound your clothing, jewelry, and all other accessories will need to be removed from the areas that will require testing. Your doctor will ask that you lie down on the exam table. Once you are relaxed and comfortable, your doctor will run a handheld medical device across the surface of your skin. The medical device will send out sound waves to the blood vessels that are being evaluated. As your doctor moves the medical device across your skin, pictures showing your blood flow are produced.
What are the benefits of using a leg arterial ultrasound?
The benefit of leg arterial ultrasounds and Doppler ultrasounds is their ability to help your doctor assess the status of your arteries. Test results from a Doppler ultrasound can help serve to indicate problems, such as:
- Blocked arteries
- Blood clots
- Poor circulation
- Venous occlusion
- Spastic arterial disease
- Blocked artificial bypass grafts
If you are interested in learning more about leg arterial ultrasounds,
