ARTERIAL COLOUR DOPPLER

Arterial Colour Doppler Overview:

Arterial Colour Doppler (ACD) is a test that does not require any invasive procedure and part of radiology, which uses sound waves of high frequency alongside Doppler to check blood circulation in the arteries, giving insights on the condition of the vascular system. It is quite helpful for diagnosing and tracking problems with the vessels, like stenosis, arteriosclerosis, and aneurysms. 

What is Arterial Colour Doppler? 

ACD is a clinical test with the ultrasound modality that incorporates a Doppler and can record changes in blood flow movement and volume. This test utilizes the ultrasound doppler effect where the frequency of sound changes when it strikes a moving target, like red blood cells. The results are demonstrated in real-time display movies where colours represent the direction and speed of blood flow. 

Types of Arterial Colour Doppler: 

Different kinds of ACD include: 

• Carotid Doppler: Used to determine the blood flow in carotid arteries and diagnose carotid artery disease. 
• Peripheral artery Doppler: Used to monitor blood flow in peripheral arteries to find PAD. 
• Renal Doppler: Diagnoses renovascular disease through the analysis of blood flow in the renal arteries. 

List of parameters taken into consideration during the Arterial Colour Doppler

For an ACD examination, the practitioners pay attention to the following parameters: 

• Direction and velocity of the blood flow. 
• The dimension and anatomy of arteries. 
• The development of stenosis or occlusion. 
• The existence of aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm. 
• Development of collateral circulation and revascularization. 

Reasons of conducting an Arterial Colour Doppler

The test is usually done with these conditions or signs: 

• Disease of the peripheral arteries. 
• Carotid artery disease. 
• Renovascular disease. 
• Pseudoaneurysm or aneurysm. 
• Stenosis or occlusion of arteries. 
• Some vascular form anomalies. 
• Vascular Raynaud’s disease. 

When and Who Needs to Take an Arterial Colour Doppler? 

An ACD is recommended if you: 

• Show any symptoms of Peripheral artery disease (PAD) like numbness in your legs. 
• Have any relatives who suffered from vascular diseases. 
• Are or used to be a smoker. 
• Suffer from hypertension or high cholesterol. 
• Have had any previous vascular surgeries. 
• Have symptoms related to carotid artery disease such as feeling faint or weakness. 

Some of the reasons of an ACD test are listed as:

• It is painless and non-invasive. 
• Serves as an important indicator of blood vessel health. 
• Helps in detecting and tracking several vascular diseases. 
• Aids in treating and controlling specific cases. 
• Helps decreasing complications and improving the outcome for the patients. 

Illnesses diagnosed with Arterial Colour Doppler.

ACD is used to diagnose and monitor a range of vascular conditions, including: 

Peripheral artery disease 

• Carotid artery disease 
• Renovascular disease 
• Arterial aneurysm 
• Arterial stenosis 
• Vascular malignancies 
• Raynaud's phenomenon 

Preparing for Arterial Colour Doppler

Patients must follow some specific instructions for ACD. 

• Do not put on restrictive clothes or jewellery. 
• Refrain from smoking for at least two hours prior to the test. 
• Keep off caffeine and avoid heavy meals at least one hour prior to the test. 
• Let the technician know if you are taking any medications, if you have any allergies, or if you have any medical conditions. 

Pre-Requisites: 

Unless an ACD is done during a medical emergency, there are no specific requirements, but patients should: 

• Be a minimum age of 18 years (or at the age specified by the doctor). 
• Allow the healthcare to obtain informed consent. 
• Assist the technician during the procedure. 

Best Time to Take the Arterial Colour Doppler 

While it can be done at any time, an ACD exam should be scheduled for a time when the patient is relatively stress-free, or calm, and at ease. 

Eligibility: 

Most patients qualify for an ACD test, but it is contraindicated in: 

• Patients with severe skin disease or active infections. 
• People with allergies to ultrasonic gel. 
• Traumatic injury and surgeries to the specific body part. 

Procedure for Taking an Arterial Colour Doppler 

Usually, the ACD test consists of the following steps: 

1. Getting the patient ready for the procedure and positioning them on the examination table. 
2. Attaching and securing the transducer to the skin's surface. 
3. Applying the ultrasonic gel to the site of interest. 
4. Selecting appropriate settings on the ultrasound machine and turning on the Doppler device to analyse the perfusion. 
5. Collecting the images and relevant details. 
6. Evaluating and determining results. 

Cautions before the test 

Before the ACD test, the patient must tell the technician regarding: 

• Medications being taken or allergic reactions. 
• Surgical history or any form of trauma in interest. 
• Current or expected pregnancy state.