Doppler Arterial Lower Limb - Both Ultrasound Scan

The Arterial Doppler Test for Legs combines two types of ultrasound technology into one powerful diagnostic tool. First, it uses traditional ultrasound to capture real-time images of the structures of your leg arteries. Second, it uses Doppler ultrasound, a special technique that measures the speed and direction of blood as it flows through those arteries.

Lower limb arterial duplex scan

Often referred to by its technical name, the Lower limb arterial duplex scan, this combination allows our radiologists to both "see" the physical anatomy of your arteries and "hear" or visualize the blood moving through them. The "whooshing" sound produced during the exam corresponds to your blood flow, and analyzing its characteristics helps detect abnormalities that might not be visible with standard imaging alone.

Types of Arterial Doppler Test for Legs

Depending on your specific symptoms and medical history, your doctor may order one of the following variations of the test:

Resting Doppler Study

This is the standard and most common form of the test. It is performed while you are lying down and resting comfortably on the examination table. It provides a baseline assessment of blood flow in your legs under normal conditions.

Exercise Doppler Study

If you experience leg pain primarily during activity (claudication), this study is particularly useful. Measurements are taken first at rest, and then again immediately after you walk on a treadmill for a short period. This helps the doctor understand how exercise impacts blood flow and can reveal blockages that are not apparent at rest.

Segmental Doppler Pressures with ABI

This comprehensive evaluation involves placing blood pressure cuffs on your arms and at different levels of your legs (thigh, calf, ankle). The pressures are measured at each point to calculate the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), a critical ratio that compares blood pressure in your ankles to your arms. The ABI is a simple, yet powerful, indicator of Peripheral Artery Disease.

### Our skilled technologists and radiologists analyze several key parameters to provide a complete picture of your arterial health:

### Vessel Patency
This determines whether an artery is open (patent), partially blocked (stenosed), or completely blocked (occluded).

### Blood Flow Velocity
The test measures the speed of your blood. Abnormally high velocities can pinpoint a specific area of narrowing, as blood speeds up to pass through a smaller opening.

### Waveform Analysis
The Doppler signal is visualized as a waveform. The shape of this wave (e.g., triphasic, biphasic, monophasic) provides critical information about the health, elasticity, and condition of the arteries upstream from where the measurement is taken.

### Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)
As mentioned, this is the ratio of blood pressure at the ankle to that in the arm. A low ABI value is a strong indicator of a blockage.

### Plaque Characterization
The ultrasound can identify the presence of atherosclerotic plaque (a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances) on the artery walls and assess its characteristics.

There are several important clinical reasons why your doctor would order this test:

• To Diagnose the Cause of Symptoms: It is the primary tool for investigating leg pain, cramping, numbness, discoloration, or coldness in the feet and toes.
• To Check for Poor Healing: If you have sores or ulcers on your legs or feet that are not healing properly, this test can determine if poor blood flow is the cause.
• To Evaluate After Trauma: It can be used to check for damage to the leg arteries after an injury.
• To Plan or Evaluate Treatment: It is essential for planning vascular procedures like angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery. It is also used post-procedure to ensure the treatment was successful.
• To Monitor Known Disease: For patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PAD, regular testing can monitor the progression of the disease.

When and Who Needs to Take an Arterial Doppler Test for Legs?

Your doctor may recommend an Arterial Doppler Test for Legs if you are experiencing symptoms that suggest poor circulation. Common indications include:

• Claudication: Pain, cramping, or aching in your legs (calf, thigh, or buttock) that occurs during exercise and subsides with rest.
• Persistent leg cramps, even when not active.
• Numbness, weakness, or a "pins and needles" sensation in your legs or feet.
• Noticeable coolness in one leg compared to the other.
• Non-healing sores or ulcers on your feet or toes.

This test is particularly important for individuals with known risk factors for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a common circulatory problem. These patient groups include:

• Current or former smokers
• Individuals with diabetes
• Patients with high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Those with high cholesterol
• Individuals over the age of 50
• People with a family history of vascular disease, heart attack, or stroke

Benefits of Taking the Test

Choosing to have an Arterial Doppler Test for Legs offers significant benefits for your health management:

• Definitive Diagnosis: It provides a clear, accurate diagnosis of PAD and other arterial conditions.
• Guides Treatment: The results help your doctor pinpoint the exact location and severity of any blockages, allowing for a highly targeted and effective treatment plan.
• Informs Next Steps: The findings will determine whether lifestyle changes and medication are sufficient or if a referral to a vascular specialist for a procedure is necessary.
• Completely Non-Invasive: You can get crucial diagnostic information without any needles, radiation, or contrast agents.
• Painless and Quick: The procedure is comfortable and typically completed in under an hour.

Illnesses Diagnosed with Arterial Doppler Test for Legs

This versatile test is instrumental in diagnosing several conditions affecting the leg arteries:

• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): This is the most common diagnosis, resulting from atherosclerosis that narrows the arteries supplying blood to the legs.
• Arterial Stenosis or Occlusion: The test precisely identifies the degree of narrowing (stenosis) or if there is a complete blockage (occlusion).
• Aneurysms: It can detect an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a leg artery.
• Arterial Trauma: It is used to evaluate the extent of damage to blood vessels following an accident or injury.

Preparation for this test is simple and straightforward.

Diet

There are no specific dietary restrictions. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment.

Clothing

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. You may be asked to remove clothing from the waist down and will be provided with a gown to wear during the exam.

Informing Staff

There is no need to inform staff of any special conditions unless you have significant pain, open wounds on your legs, or have recently had leg surgery.

Pre-requisites

Typically, no special pre-requisites are needed. Please bring your doctor's referral form and any reports from previous imaging studies (if you have them).

Best Time to Take the Arterial Doppler Test for Legs

The test can be performed at any time during our operating hours at Cadabams Diagnostics. It does not require fasting or a specific time of day for accurate results.

Eligibility

The Arterial Doppler Test for Legs is safe and suitable for almost everyone. Because it uses sound waves and not radiation, it can be performed on pregnant patients and individuals with medical implants like pacemakers or defibrillators without any risk.

Procedure for Taking an Arterial Doppler Test for Legs

Understanding the leg artery ultrasound procedure can help you feel more comfortable and prepared for your appointment. Here is a step-by-step overview of what to expect:

Positioning

You will be asked to lie comfortably on your back on an examination table.

Gel Application

A sonographer will apply a small amount of clear, water-based gel to the skin on your legs. This gel helps transmit the sound waves from the probe to your body.

Blood Pressure Cuffs

In many cases, blood pressure cuffs will be placed on both of your arms and at various levels on your legs (thighs, calves, ankles). These will be inflated one at a time to take pressure readings.

Scanning with the Probe

The technologist will gently press a small, handheld device called a transducer (or probe) against your skin. They will move the probe along the path of the major arteries in your legs, from the groin down to the ankle.

Hearing the Blood Flow

As the Doppler is used, you will hear "whooshing" or "pulsing" sounds coming from the ultrasound machine. This is the sound of your blood flowing through the arteries and is a normal part of the exam.

Capturing Images

The technologist will be viewing the images on a monitor and capturing specific snapshots and measurements throughout the process.

Duration

The entire procedure typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete.

Caution Before Taking the Test

For your comfort and to ensure the highest quality results, please inform the technologist before the exam begins if you are experiencing severe pain in your legs, have any open sores or wounds, or have had recent leg surgery. They can adjust the leg artery ultrasound procedure to be as gentle as possible.