Everything You Need to Know About Doppler Ultrasound
July 06 2020
Doppler ultrasound is an amazing tool used to diagnose a variety of arterial conditions. This technology originated from the Doppler principle, which is based on the changing frequency of sound waves in relation to a moving object.
For instance, when a train is approaching, the frequency of sound waves in front of the moving train will increase, making the pitch higher as it gets closer. The frequency of the waves behind the moving train will decrease, lowering the pitch you hear as it moves away.
This concept has been applied within the medical community through the Doppler ultrasound, which is used to assess blood flow. Vascular Doppler applications spread across fields and specialties. Healthcare professionals use Doppler ultrasound to diagnose a myriad of vascular conditions.
UltrasoundQuotes is the ultimate resource for the ultrasound industry. Learn more about medical Dopplers to find out if these machines are a good fit for your practice.
What is Doppler Ultrasound
Ultrasound technology continues to improve and expand. While most ultrasound equipment can produce images, it can’t measure blood flow. Doppler ultrasound is different.
Doppler tests are non-invasive examinations that offer a comprehensive look at a patient’s blood flow. High-frequency ultrasound waves bounce off of circulating red blood cells, creating Doppler pulses that allow healthcare professionals to assess arteries and veins. The information captured by Doppler pulses can then be converted into graphs or pictures.
Doppler ultrasound, also known as vascular Doppler ultrasound, is used to find the velocity of blood flow. This will indicate whether or not a patient’s arterial blood vessels are diseased. If expected velocities are not found, a medical diagnosis may be made.
Doppler ultrasound can also be used during pregnancy to evaluate the blood flow of the fetus, uterus, or placenta. In each of these cases, Doppler pulses are helpful for monitoring the baby’s condition.
Doppler pulses can also measure the ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) of a patient. This number is the ratio of blood pressure at the ankle to the blood pressure in the upper arm. An ABPI less than 1 indicates lower blood pressure in the leg, suggesting blocked arteries due to peripheral artery disease. If the systolic pressure is equal to or greater than that in the arm (ABPI of at least 1) there’s no arterial disease.
Performing a doppler assessment is relatively straightforward, and completely painless for the patient. Medical Dopplers are great tools for a wide variety of healthcare applications.
Doppler Test Applications
Vascular Doppler equipment is used in a variety of practices. Performing a Doppler test can help diagnose a range of conditions, including:
- Blood clots
- Venous insufficiency
- Peripheral artery disease
- Arterial occlusion
- Aneurysms
- Carotid artery stenosis
Medical Dopplers can also perform a variety of tests. One popular test is the carotid Doppler. Carotid Doppler tests are used to examine the carotid arteries in the neck. These two arteries are located on either side of the neck and are responsible for delivering blood from the heart to the brain.
Carotid Doppler examinations check for narrow or blocked carotid arteries. If found, the carotid Doppler would indicate coronary artery disease. By understanding the condition of these arteries, a professional could use a carotid Doppler ultrasound to assess a patient’s risk of stroke in just 30 minutes.
On top of that, carotid Dopplers are used to evaluate blood flow after surgery, locate blood clots, detect abnormalities, and check stent placement.
Both carotid Doppler and vascular Doppler tests give a clear picture of the arteries and veins, which is critical to diagnosing otherwise invisible conditions. Different probe sizes exist to accommodate a variety of Doppler tests. For vascular Doppler applications, choose a 5MHz or 8MHz probe.
Finding Medical Dopplers for Your Practice
As you’ve seen, medical Dopplers are essential tools for diagnosing a range of conditions. If your practice could use this technology, UltrasoundQuotes can help.
Before you buy ultrasound equipment, it’s important to understand all of your options. Whether you’re searching for Doppler ultrasound equipment or other machinery, UltrasoundQuotes allows you to compare all of your options in one place.
Simply select the type of ultrasound equipment you’re searching for and we’ll match you with machines that fit your specific needs. You’ll receive pricing and information on a variety of equipment straight to your inbox.
Buy a medical Doppler with confidence. Get the best equipment for your practice and your patients for a great price.