Doppler is a medical examination tool that uses high-frequency sound waves to monitor the condition of blood flow and blood vessels. Doppler ultrasound is usually used when doctors perform ultrasound examinations to evaluate or diagnose a patient's condition.
In contrast to ultrasound examinations in general which are only able to produce images of tissues or organs of the body, Doppler ultrasound can be used to see the condition of blood flow and vessels.
This makes Doppler ultrasound as one of the examination methods that can be done by doctors to diagnose various diseases, especially diseases or disorders of the blood vessels.
Doppler ultrasound examination procedure
Before performing an examination with a Doppler ultrasound, the doctor or nurse will apply a gel on the surface of the skin on the area of the body to be examined.
Next, the doctor will place a transducer or sound wave emitting device to monitor the condition of the organs, body tissues, and blood vessels in the patient's body. The device is connected to a Doppler ultrasound machine that will display an image of the condition of the organs and blood vessels in the area being examined.
Doctors usually perform a Doppler ultrasound to monitor or evaluate certain conditions, such as:
- Conditions of blood flow in the arteries and veins in the arms, legs, or neck
- The presence of blood clots that block blood vessels and block blood flow to certain organs, such as the lungs or kidneys
- Conditions of blood flow to the mother and fetus during pregnancy
After the Doppler ultrasound examination is complete, the nurse or doctor will clean the remaining gel that is still attached to the patient's skin. Doppler ultrasound usually only lasts a few minutes.
Diseases That Can Be Detected Using Doppler Ultrasound
There are several diseases or medical conditions that can be detected with Doppler ultrasound, including:
- Congenital heart disease
- Blockage or narrowing of the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
- Peripheral artery disease
- Carotid stenosis or narrowing of the arteries in the neck Blockage of the veins, for example due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Tumors in blood vessels
- Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)
Doppler ultrasound examination is usually also performed as an alternative to radiological examination of blood vessels such as angiography which is more invasive.
Angiography is considered more invasive because it requires the injection of a contrast agent into the bloodstream before the doctor monitors the condition of the patient's organs and blood vessels through X-rays.
Examination with Doppler ultrasound is generally performed by a radiologist, but can also be performed by an obstetrician, vascular surgeon, cardiologist, or other specialist.
Doppler ultrasound is generally comfortable, harmless, and doesn't take long. In fact, this examination is safe for the fetus in the womb because it does not use radiation. Therefore, you do not need to feel anxious or afraid if it is recommended to undergo a Doppler ultrasound examination.