US DOPPLER ARTERIAL LOWER LIMB - LEFT

The US Doppler Arterial Lower Limb Left is a type of radiology exam that does not require surgery and utilizes sound waves to evaluate blood flow in the lower limb arteries on the left side. The left leg has a common ailment called peripheral artery disease (PAD) amongst others that limit blood flow. Smoking must be avoided thirty minutes prior and loose-fitting clothes should be worn for optimal patient comfort throughout the examination. 

What is US Doppler Arterial Lower Limb Left? 

This test is done using the US Doppler Arterial Lower Limb Left which utilizes a procedure named Doppler ultrasound for the imaging of blood vessels located in the left lower limb. A probe on the skin releases sound waves that bounce off blood cells, returning as echoes. These echoes assist in imaging blood vessels alongside other structures while also evaluating blood flow. 

Types of US Doppler Lower Limb Arterial Left 

As an example, there are two principal categories of US Doppler Arterial Lower Limb Left tests: 

• Duplex ultrasound: In this test, the traditional ultrasound examination is paired with a standard Doppler ultrasound to assess the blood vessels' functionality and structure. 
• Colour Doppler ultrasound: With this test, the flow of blood in the vessels is captured through the use of colour imaging. 

The following parameters are evaluated in the process:  

• Duration and velocity of blood flow. 
• Dimension and shape of the vessel. 
• Vascular occlusions and / or thrombotic phenomena. 
• Blood pressure readings on the lower extremities. 

The following factors or signs, among others, warrant a procedure:  

• Peripheral arterial disease. 
• Pain and/or cramps in the legs. 
• Weakness and/or numbness in the legs. 
• Legs feel cold and/or have reduced pigmentation. 
• Increased duration for healing of ulcers on the legs. 

When and Who should get a US Doppler Arterial Lower Limb Left Examination? 

Any of the following symptoms may require a healthcare provider to issue an order for US Doppler ARTERIAL LOWER Limb Left exam:  

• Leg pain while walking (also known as intermittent claudication)  
• Coldness in and discoloration of the legs  
• Weakness or numbness in the legs  
• Poor healing of wounds in the legs  
• Abnormal results from the physical exam, like diminished leg pulses 

This exam is commonly advised when the patient has features suggesting that they may have peripheral arterial disease (PAD) like:  

• People who smoke  
• Suffers of Hypertension  
• Patients with hyperlipidaemia  
• Diabetic patients  
• People with a positive family history of PAD 

Benefits of Taking the Test

The US Doppler Arterial Lower Limb Left test has several benefits which include:  

• Does not involve any surgical incision and is pain free. 
• The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis and is done very quickly. 
• The results are accurate and can be relied upon. 
• Useful in identifying and observing problems with circulation in the legs. 

Illnesses Diagnosed with US Doppler Arterial Lower Limb Left

It is predominantly used to determine these without further examinations:  

• Peripheral artery disease. 
• Arterial atherosclerosis. 
• Thrombosis and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). 
• Varicose veins. 

Most patients are recommended to:  

• Put on relaxed and loose-fitting clothes. 
• No smoking for 30 minutes before the exam 
• Undress from anything that might obstruct the test 
• Report your medical conditions and allergies to the technician 

Pre-requisites: 

There are no specific prerequisites for the test, but patients may be advised to:  

• Drink no water and fast for some hours prior to the exam  
• Do not drink or smoke several hours before the exam 

Best Time to Conduct the US Doppler Arterial Lower Limb Left Test: 

The test can be scheduled any time during the day. However, it is more advisable to conduct the test in the morning after the patient has had a rest as the blood vessels are most relaxed.  

Eligibility: The test is usually recommended for the patients at high risk of developing PAD or those patients with symptoms of leg pain or cramps. Some patients with existing conditions such as kidney disease or heart failure may not be able to qualify for the test.  

Procedure of the US Doppler Arterial Lower Limb Left Test: 

The test takes approximately 30-60 minutes and is performed as below:  

1. The patient is put on an examination table to lie in a recumbent position. 
2. A probe is placed on the patient’s skin on the left lower limb and some gel is put over the probe.  
3. The technician refines the probe position in order to obtain the best possible image. 
4. The patient is instructed to avoid movement or speech during the examination. 
5. The technician captures pictures of the blood vessels and dolls out the blood flow with the Doppler ultrasound. 

Caution Prior to Test Taken: 

The following medical conditions or allergies should be reported to the technician before taking the test: 

• Kidney Disease 
• Heart Failure 
• Disorders of Blood Clotting 
• Pregnancy