Venous and Arterial Doppler

If you have symptoms of a blood vessel disorder, you may be a candidate for venous and arterial Doppler. At Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. in Tyler and Lindale, Texas, the exceptional specialists offer this service to detect peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and other common vascular issues. Schedule an appointment at Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. by phone or book one online today.

What is venous and arterial Doppler ultrasound?

Venous and arterial Doppler are ultrasound procedures, or imaging tests, that assess blood flow in your arms and legs. Ultrasound uses sound waves to develop images of certain structures within the body, allowing a medical specialist to detect or rule out minor issues before they cause serious complications. Two main types of Doppler include:

Venous Doppler ultrasound

Venous Doppler uses sound wave imaging to look for clots and other abnormalities in the veins in your legs or arms. Veins carry blood from these extremities to your heart.

Arterial Doppler ultrasound

Arterial Doppler imaging tests evaluate blood flow in the arteries in your legs or arms to detect blockages associated with peripheral vascular diseases. Such arteries carry blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.

What do venous and arterial Doppler ultrasounds test for?

Venous and arterial Doppler ultrasound can detect the following conditions and their symptoms:

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Strokes
• Blood vessel narrowing
• Blocked arteries or veins
• Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
• Aneurysm
• Pseudonyms
• Subclavian steal syndrome
• Uneven brachial pressure
• Previous vascular surgery
• Cerebral vascular accident (CVA)
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Chest pain
• History of diabetes
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)
• Leg swelling, pain, or redness

Anytime you experience new or unusual symptoms or are at risk of blood vessel disorders, see your Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. specialist for an evaluation. 

What happens during venous and arterial Doppler ultrasounds?

Before you undergo a venous and arterial Doppler procedure, your specialist may ask you to fast.

You rest comfortably during venous and arterial Doppler procedures at Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. Simply lie down while a specialist applies gel to targeted areas and slides a transducer over your arms or legs to develop detailed images.

They compress the veins in your arms or legs to check for clots. You might experience minimal discomfort during the procedure, which often lasts about 20-30 minutes for each arm or leg.

What can I expect after a venous and arterial Doppler ultrasound?

After the procedure, your provider reviews the results with you and discusses the next best steps. You might need further diagnostic testing, medications, minor procedures, or other treatments to reduce the risk of complications. 

Schedule an evaluation at Tyler Internal Medicine Associates P.A. by phone or book one online today to determine if you’re a candidate for venous and arterial Doppler procedures.