Doppler Ultrasound

Ultrasound, Doppler

Results

A Doppler ultrasound test uses reflected sound waves to check blood as it flows through a blood vessel.

Doppler ultrasound

Normal:	There are no findings of significant narrowing or other abnormality in any of the arteries examined.
	There is no evidence of a clot in any of the veins examined. The size and position of veins are normal.
	Normal blood flow is found in the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to a fetus.
Abnormal:	For continuous wave Doppler or duplex Doppler, differences in blood flow between the right and left sides of the body may be heard. At the exact location where an artery is blocked or narrowed, the sound may be high-pitched or turbulent. Blockage (such as from a blood clot), an aneurysm, or narrowing of a blood vessel may be detected. The speed of blood flow may be compared to standard values to find out the amount of blockage or narrowing of the blood vessel.
	A duplex Doppler ultrasound graph may show irregular flow that indicates a blocked or narrowed blood vessel.
	A color Doppler image may show a blocked or narrowed blood vessel or an aneurysm.
	In the veins, a blood clot may be indicated if blood flow does not change in response to breathing or does not increase in response to either a compression maneuver or Valsalva maneuver. Incomplete blockage of a vein by a blood clot may be seen on color Doppler or during a compression maneuver.
	Abnormal veins, such as varicose veins, are seen.
	Blood flow through the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to a fetus is abnormally increased or decreased.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: January 5, 2009
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology
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