Leg Venous Doppler Ultrasound
What is a leg venous ultrasound?
A leg venous 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 venous ultrasound used?
A venous sonogram is primarily used to diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Other reasons for a venous ultrasound may include:
- Identifying the cause of leg swelling
- Locating damaged valves
- Aiding in certain medical procedures
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. A venous 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 venous ultrasound involve?
A venous ultrasound involves your doctor using ultrasound imaging to get an inside look at your veins. The procedure begins with your doctor placing a gel on the surface of your skin and running a medical tool, called a probe, over the skin. Sound waves from the probe are used to produce an image of the inside of your veins.
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 a leg venous ultrasound?
The benefit of leg venous ultrasounds and Doppler ultrasounds is their ability to help your doctor assess the status of your veins. 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 venous ultrasounds visit Heart Vein NYC. Our heart and vein doctors at Heart Vein NYC have over 20 years of experience providing the New York City area with comprehensive,
