A venous Doppler exam is a painless, non-invasive ultrasound test to check blood flow in the veins.
Veins pump oxygen-depleted blood from the body back to the heart.
A venous Doppler exam uses sound waves to evaluate blood flow through the arteries. This test is primarily used to measure the flow of blood in the legs. It can also be used for the arms.
Venous Doppler exams can show any blockage in the veins caused by a blood clot (also called a “thrombus”).
Learn more about venous Doppler exams, including their definition, indications, the procedure itself and post-procedure care.
Vascular care at WashU Medicine
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What is a venous Doppler exam?
A venous Doppler exam, also known as a venous ultrasound or venous duplex scan, is a non-invasive imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images and assess blood flow in the veins. This exam helps detect conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), venous insufficiency, and varicose veins.
How do the veins work?
The veins pump blood to the heart.
There are two sets of veins in the legs:
- Deep veins: These are underneath the leg muscles.
- Superficial veins: These are just beneath the surface of the skin.
The veins in the legs deflate easily. Blood flows under low pressure and against gravity as it moves back to the heart. Two things help the blood from your legs pump back to the heart more efficiently:
- Calf muscle pump: As you walk, calf muscle movement pushes blood upward.
- Venous valves: There are one-way valves in the veins prevent blood from flowing back into your feet.
Who needs a venous Doppler exam?
A venous Doppler exam checks for venous disease. Having a blood clot in your vein or other types of venous disease can lead to serious complications.
Reasons for a venous Doppler exam can include:
- Leg pain or tenderness: Unexplained pain or tenderness in the legs, which could indicate DVT.
- Swelling (edema): Swelling in one or both legs, particularly when associated with pain or tenderness.
- Redness and warmth: Redness and increased warmth in the leg, suggesting inflammation or infection.
- Visible veins: Enlarged, twisted veins (varicose veins) that could indicate underlying venous insufficiency.
- Skin changes: Discoloration, thickening, or ulceration of the skin on the legs, indicating chronic venous insufficiency.
Risk factors for venous disease may include:
- Prolonged immobility: Extended periods of sitting or bed rest, increasing the risk of DVT.
- Recent surgery or trauma: Especially orthopedic surgeries or injuries to the legs.
- History of DVT or pulmonary embolism: Previous episodes increase the risk of recurrence.
- Clotting disorders: Genetic or acquired conditions that increase the risk of blood clots.
- Pregnancy: Increased risk of varicose veins and DVT.
- Obesity: Higher risk of venous insufficiency and varicose veins.
Venous Doppler exam procedure
Preparation
Before having an arterial ultrasound, you will have a discussion with your health care provider about the reasons for the test and what to expect.
There’s typically no special preparation needed for an arterial Doppler, but be sure to follow any instructions from your health care provider.
What to expect
The venous ultrasound is performed in a vascular lab. The test involves no needles, catheters, or dye. Ultrasound is used to the listen to the flow of blood through the veins in your arm or leg.
You will be asked to lie down on your back on an exam table.
A gel will be applied to your arm or leg. The gel may feel warm, but it is painless. This gel helps the sound waves from your veins show up on the test.
The health care provider will press a device called a transducer against the gel on your arm or leg. This transducer will transmit sound waves that create images on a computer screen to assess blood flow. Doppler technology measures the speed and direction of blood flow. This creates a whooshing sound you will hear during the test.
The exam typically takes about 30-60 minutes.
Post-procedure care
- Cleaning: The gel is cleaned off the patient’s legs.
- Immediate results: Preliminary findings may be discussed immediately, but the final report is usually reviewed by a radiologist or vascular specialist.
- Follow-up: Patients may be advised on further testing or treatment based on the results.
A venous Doppler exam is a valuable, non-invasive diagnostic tool used to assess blood flow in the veins of the legs and detect potential clots or abnormalities. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms or have risk factors for venous disease, consulting with a health care provider will help determine the need for a venous Doppler exam and develop an appropriate plan for monitoring or treatment based on the results.
