Vascular ultrasound is carried out in order to monitor blood flow to organs and tissues throughout the body, locate and identify blockages and abnormalities like blood clots, plaque or emboli and help plan for their effective treatment. It can also be used to determine whether a patient is a good candidate for a procedure such as angioplasty or plan or evaluate the success of procedures that graft or bypass blood vessels. Vascular ultrasound can also help to identify areas of abnormal widening of blood vessels (aneurysm) that, if left untreated, can lead to serious consequences. In people with varicose veins, it can help to identify the source of the supply of these veins and help the surgeon decide how best to deal with this condition.
A Doppler ultrasound study may be part of a vascular ultrasound examination. Doppler is a special ultrasound technique that evaluates the speed and volume of blood as it flows through a blood vessel, including the body's major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck. It can help to diagnose blockages to blood flow (such as clots) narrowing of vessels (possibly caused by plaque) and tumours and congenital malformation. As the images are captured in real time, they can help the ultrasound practitioner monitor the blood flow to organs and tissues throughout the body. No special preparation is required for these types of scans.
At the examination you will need to remove all clothing and jewellery in the area to be examined and may be asked to wear a gown during theprocedure. You will lie on your back on an examination couch and the transducer moved back and forth across the relevant part of your body on order to image the area of interest.