Colour Doppler Test
Color Doppler ultrasound is an imaging technique that is used to provide visualization of the blood flow in the arteries and the veins. With the advent of Medical Technology, CT and MRI angiography have emerged as the preferred diagnostic modality for the study of blood vessels. In angiography, an iodine-based contrast agent is used which is harmful to kidneys.
In comparison a color doppler study is perfectly safe even for pregnant women as there is no radiation involved and safe for patients with kidney disease as there is no iodine involved.
Carotid Color Doppler
Carotid Color Doppler test is used to detect narrowing of the arteries in the neck (the carotid arteries) that supply blood to the brain and the face.
The test is known as CIMT - Carotid Intima Mean Thickness. This test is extremely useful in the early detection and prevention of future stroke. All smokers and those at high risk for coronary artery disease must get the Carotid Doppler Test at least once in two years.
Vascular Color Doppler
Several Medical conditions cause the arteries and veins to become narrow. This reduces the blood supply to different body parts. Arterial and Venous Colour Doppler studies are done mostly for the upper and lower limbs to determine the blockages in the vessels and determine the extent of narrowing of these vessels. This is an excellent test for the vessels. However, CT or MR Angiography of the vessels is definitely a more advanced study but cannot be done in patients having deranged kidney function and for such patients, the Colour Doppler study is the only option.
Uses Of Colour Doppler Tests
At Vardhman Hospital, we perform colour doppler to:
- Find out the blood clots and blocked blood vessels in almost any part of the body
- Evaluate leg pain which may be caused by blockages in the blood vessels of the legs.
- Evaluate blood flow in carotid arteries which carry blood to the brain and face.
- Evaluate the flow of blood in the arteries or veins carrying blood to or from the heart, kidneys, brain, penis, legs, arms, abdomen or for that matter to any organ or part in the human body.
Pregnancy Color Doppler
Doctors often use Doppler Ultrasound during pregnancy to check fetal umbilical blood flow, placental blood flow, and blood flow in the heart and brain of the fetus. Using the Doppler Ultrasound results, doctors can determine if restricted blood flow due to sickle cell anemia, RH sensitization, or restricted blood vessels is to blame for fetal abnormalities. This test is also used to know the loops of the umbilical cord around the neck of the fetus which may determine whether the delivery would happy normal or through the cesarian section.
Renal Colour Doppler And Penile Doppler
Patients suffering from high blood pressure should undergo Renal colour doppler at regular intervals to see if there is any kind of blockage in the renal arteries. Diabetic patients have the tendency of narrowing of the blood vessels in all parts of the body specially the Cavernous vessels in the Penis which results in impotency. Penile doppler test is done after administering Sildenfil Citrate (Viagra) or Papaverine injection to study the flow of blood in the penile arteries. If the blood flow is insufficient then the patients can undergo Penile Implant Surgery which gives lasting benefits to the patients of impotence.
