Lower Extremity Arterial System Color Doppler Ultrasound

What is the lower extremity arterial system and where is it in our body?

The lower extremities refer to the legs and the upper extremities to the arms. The 'arterial system' means the 'system of arteries'.

The lower extremity arterial system consists of the main arteries and their branches that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the legs and feet, extending from the hip to the toes.

What is lower extremity arterial system color Doppler ultrasound?

In lower extremity arterial color Doppler ultrasonography, the arterial structures (arteries) in the legs, from the groin to the toes, are evaluated with ultrasonography. This allows the blood circulation in the arteries to be examined to obtain information about whether there is any narrowing or blockage.

The most important risk factor for the development of arterial blockage is "atherosclerosis". Atherosclerosis means the hardening of the vessel due to plaques formed by the accumulation of cholesterol, fat and inflammatory cells on the walls of the arteries.

Why is lower extremity arterial system color Doppler ultrasound performed?

In people with risk factors for atherosclerosis, who have leg pain that develops while walking, intensifies when climbing stairs and decreases with rest, and in whom the physician's physical examination has detected a decrease/loss of pulses, a color Doppler ultrasound examination is recommended to assess the direction and speed of flow in the arteries and the presence of narrowing or blockage.

In patients with peripheral artery disease, narrowing or blockage of the leg arteries may occur due to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Doppler ultrasound is used to detect and evaluate peripheral artery disease, determining the location and severity of narrowing or blockages in the arteries.

Is there radiation in lower extremity arterial system color Doppler ultrasound?

Doppler ultrasound is an imaging method that uses sound waves and contains no ionizing radiation.

Can lower extremity arterial system color Doppler ultrasound be performed at any age?

It can be safely performed on patients of any age.

Is any preparation required for this examination?

No special preparation is required for lower extremity arterial system Doppler ultrasound examination.

How is lower extremity arterial system color Doppler ultrasound performed?

The patient's legs are prepared so that they are fully exposed. The examination is usually started with the patient lying on their back on the examination table. The legs are positioned appropriately according to the area to be examined and the procedure is performed.

First, the vessel walls, plaque formation and other structural abnormalities are evaluated in grayscale with a standard ultrasound examination. The device is then set to color Doppler mode to visualize blood flow in color. Whether the blood flow is normal and whether there is any blockage are assessed. Spectral Doppler mode is used to measure the speed of blood flow and other hemodynamic parameters.

After the procedure is completed, the gel on the legs is cleaned off. The radiologist presents the images obtained and the Doppler data in a detailed report.

How many minutes does lower extremity arterial system color Doppler ultrasound take?

This procedure usually takes approximately 15–30 minutes.

Is lower extremity arterial system color Doppler ultrasound a painful examination?

This examination is not painful.

Does this examination have any side effect or harm?

As this method uses sound waves and does not use ionizing radiation, it poses no risk to patients.

Can I continue my daily life after having this examination?

Immediately after the examination, patients can continue with their work and daily activities.

What should be done after having lower extremity arterial system color Doppler ultrasound?

You can return to your normal daily activities and there is nothing special you need to do.