Doppler ultrasonography is a type of ultrasound imaging that healthcare professionals use to get a closer look at your blood flow. As a businessman with a strong foundation in biomedical science and osteopathic medicine, I've seen first-hand how essential this technology has become across multiple healthcare settings. Non-invasive, painless, and completely safe, Doppler ultrasonography produces results almost instantly, helping healthcare professionals diagnose and monitor a range of conditions related to the direction of blood flow and blood pressure.

Ultrasonography has been widely used by doctors since the 1960s to assess a range of conditions and diseases. The technique uses high-frequency sound waves to create a picture of internal body structures like tendons, muscles, and organs. It’s also commonly used in pregnancy to assess the condition of the baby and spot any abnormalities. Doppler technology has continued to evolve, and now there are specialized devices that cater to specific clinical needs. At Medshop, we provide an extensive selection of advanced Dopplers that enhance diagnostic capabilities for practitioners.

Normal types of ultrasound imaging, although incredibly useful in the diagnostic process, don’t show blood flow. If doctors want to assess the condition of blood vessels, and the rate of blood flow in the body, they need to use Doppler ultrasonography, especially to assess the direction of blood flow and identify potential blockage in the blood vessels.

A Doppler ultrasound test can be used by healthcare professionals to identify a number of conditions and to aid diagnoses. Incredibly useful, this quick, non-invasive technique can save lives and help doctors to provide top-level care. The advancements in handheld Doppler devices have empowered many general practitioners and specialists alike to make on-the-spot assessments that can be critical for patient outcomes.

What is the Difference Between a Doppler and an Ultrasound?

A Doppler is a type of ultrasound imaging that’s used to measure or assess the flow of blood in the body. Doppler ultrasonography uses high-frequency sound waves to build a picture of how blood cells are moving in a patient’s vessels. The technique can be used to measure the speed and direction of blood flow in the body and is a valuable technique for diagnosing and monitoring a range of diseases and conditions, such as blockage or arterial occlusion.

At Medshop, we offer a variety of Doppler devices, such as the Huntleigh FD1+ Fetal Doppler, which provides clear and reliable readings to assist in both prenatal care and general vascular assessments. These devices are designed to be easy to use, portable, and accurate, which makes them a staple in many healthcare professionals' toolkits.

Doppler ultrasound tests are carried out using small, handheld devices called transducers. These are simply placed against the patient’s skin and then adjusted until the person carrying out the scan gets a satisfactory reading. The patient shouldn’t experience any pain or discomfort during a Doppler ultrasound test.

What is the Doppler in an Ultrasound?

The ‘Doppler’ in a Doppler ultrasound test refers to the Doppler Effect, or Doppler shift. This was first identified in the mid-19th century by Austrian physicist Christian Doppler. It describes the increase or decrease in the frequency of sound, light, or other waves as the source of the waves and the observer move towards or away from each other.

A Doppler ultrasound test bounces sound waves off of the blood cells circulating in a patient’s body. This allows the doctor or sonographer carrying out the test to build up a detailed and informative picture of the patient’s vessels. This core technology is the basis for many of the Doppler devices available today, including the popular Edan SD3 Vascular Doppler, which provides a cost-effective yet highly reliable solution for clinics.

What is Doppler Flow?

Doppler flow is a type of Doppler imaging. Like other types of Doppler imaging, it uses high-frequency sound waves to measure the flow of blood through a vessel. Waveforms of the blood flow are shown on the ultrasound imaging screen, allowing the professional carrying out the scan to assess the patient’s circulation. Color Doppler, a more advanced form of Doppler imaging, provides color-coded visuals that show the speed and direction of blood flow in real time.

Doppler flow studies are often used to assess the blood flow in a baby’s umbilical vein and arteries. It can also be used to check the foetal brain, foetal heart, and other internal organs. Doppler flow is sometimes called Doppler velocimetry.

What is A Doppler Ultrasound Used For? 

Doppler ultrasound tests are commonly used to assess patients suffering from symptoms that indicate there is an issue with the circulatory system. For example, if a doctor believes a patient is experiencing reduced blood flow, blockage, or heart disease, they may use a Doppler to get more information about the patient’s blood vessels and flow.

Doppler imaging allows doctors to make quick and accurate assessments and help them to decide if further treatment is needed. Whether you're dealing with vascular complications or prenatal monitoring, devices like the Edan SD5 and the Summit LifeDop 150 from Medshop are perfect examples of how modern Doppler technology is improving diagnostic capabilities.

Symptoms that may result in a Doppler ultrasound test include:

• Numbness or weakness in the legs
• Painful cramping in the hips or leg muscles when walking or climbing stairs
• Cold feeling in the lower leg or foot
• Change in colour and/or shiny skin on your leg
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the legs, feet, and/or abdomen
• Fatigue

 Patients may also require a Doppler if:

• They’ve had a stroke - Transcranial Dopplers can be used to check blood flow to the brain
• They have injured their blood vessels
• They are being treated for a known blood flow disorder
• If they are pregnant and their doctor believes there may be a blood flow problem with mother or baby.

What Can a Doppler Ultrasound Detect?

A Doppler ultrasound can be used to detect and diagnose a range of conditions and diseases related to the circulatory system. These include:

• A blocked artery (arterial occlusion)
• Decreased blood circulation into the legs (peripheral artery disease)
• Bulging arteries (aneurysms)
• Narrowing of an artery (carotid artery stenosis)
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Blood clots
• Poorly functioning valves in leg veins. These can cause blood and other fluids to pool in the legs (venous insufficiency)
• Heart valve defects and congenital heart disease

How to Perform a Doppler Ultrasound 

Sonographers and most doctors will learn how to do a Doppler ultrasound test as part of their training. Some specialist nurses will also be taught how to use Doppler imaging and read the results. From my experience, having access to quality Doppler devices during training and clinical practice is crucial. This is why Medshop’s extensive range caters to both new learners and experienced professionals.

The process is simple and usually involves applying gel to the patient’s skin to ensure the best transmission of sound waves. The handheld transducer is then applied to the affected area, and the sonographer moves it around to capture the correct readings.

How to Read a Doppler Ultrasound 

The way a Doppler is read will depend on the exam being carried out. For example, a lot of foetal Dopplers are mostly used to check the baby’s heartbeat. In this instance, a simple heart rate reading will probably be sufficient to give the doctor or sonographer the information they need. 

If the doctor or sonographer is checking for an aneurysm, DVT or another circulatory condition, they may use another type of Doppler. Common types of Doppler ultrasonography include:

• Colour Doppler - This uses a computer to change sound waves into different colours which show the speed and direction of blood flow in real time.
• Power Doppler – This is a type of colour Doppler that can provide more detail about blood flow than a standard colour Doppler. However, it can’t show the direction of blood flow.
• Spectral Doppler – This type of Doppler shows blood flow data on a graph, rather than colour images. It’s often used to see how much of a blood vessel is blocked.
• Continuous wave Doppler – When this type of Doppler is carried out, sound waves are sent and received continuously. This provides a more accurate measurement of blood when it is flowing quickly.

How to Interpret a Doppler Ultrasound

Again, the way a Doppler is interpreted will depend on what the doctor is looking for and which type of Doppler has been carried out. If your readings fall outside normal parameters, your doctor will talk you through the results and what they mean for your diagnosis.

How to do a Doppler Ultrasound in Pregnancy

Because they are small, easy to use, and accurate, Dopplers are commonly used to check a baby’s heart rate during pregnancy. In many cases, family doctors will learn how to read a Doppler ultrasound test in pregnancy to allow them to monitor mother and baby without the need for a hospital visit. From my experience, devices like the Huntleigh FD3 provide essential insight for practitioners caring for expecting mothers, and are trusted in both clinical and home settings.

When a Doppler ultrasound test is carried out in pregnancy, gel will be placed on the mother’s belly and a specially designed foetal doppler applied to the skin. The doctor or sonographer will then move the transducer around until they get a clear reading of the baby’s heartbeat. This process should be painless and non-invasive.

Doppler ultrasonography is an incredible medical tool that provides valuable information on a range of conditions. Learn more about Doppler ultrasonography, and about the Dopplers in our collection of high-quality medical devices by exploring the Medshop store today or contacting one of our advisors.

 

Author: Steven John Cumper, B.App.SC. (Osteo.), M.Ost., is a businessman with a strong foundation in biomedical science and osteopathic medicine, who founded and led Medshop to international success, culminating in its acquisition by the Bunzl Group in September 2021, where he continues to serve as Managing Director (Medshop Group).