(Includes Carotid, Arm, and Leg Arterial and Venous Studies; also called Carotid
Ultrasound, Venous Doppler Studies, Arterial Doppler Studies, Carotid Duplex
Scan, and Pulse Volume Recordings, or PVRS)
Overview
Vascular doppler studies are performed in order to assess the blood flow in
arteries and/or veins. Some conditions which may affect blood flow include,
but are not limited to, the following:
- atherosclerosis (Also called coronary artery disease.) - a gradual
clogging of the arteries over many years by fatty materials and other substances
in the blood stream. The most common areas affected by this condition are
the coronary arteries of the heart, the carotid arteries of the neck, and
the femoral arteries of the upper leg.
- aneurysm - a dilation of a part of the heart muscle or the aorta
(the large artery which carries oxygenated blood out of the heart to the rest
of the body) which may cause a weakness of the tissue at the site of the aneurysm.
In extreme cases, the aneurysm may rupture, which is an emergency situation,
due to rapid blood loss out of the blood vessels.
- embolus or thrombus - clots in blood vessels may be either an embolus
(a small mass of material such as fat globules, air, clusters of bacteria,
or even foreign matter such as a piece of metal from a bullet) or a thrombus
(a blood clot).
- inflammatory conditions - an inflammation within a blood vessel may
occur as a result of trauma (physical trauma, such as from a fall, or chemical
trauma, such as from an irritating medication being introduced into the vessel),
infection, or an autoimmune disorder (e.g., polyarteritis, Raynaud's disease,
and aortic arch syndrome).
- varicose veins - occur when the veins of the circulatory system in
the legs are exposed over time to pressure that causes stress on the walls
and valves of the veins. For example, in people who stand a lot at work, a
greater than normal amount of pressure is exerted on the leg veins by the
blood because of gravity making blood pool in the legs.
Any of these conditions can cause decreased blood flow in arteries and/or
veins. The arteries bring oxygen and other nutrients to the cells of the body.
The veins take away the blood after the cells have taken in the oxygen and nutrients
and given up their waste products, such as carbon dioxide. If blood flow is
decreased to any part of the body, that area does not get enough oxygen and
nutrients and is unable to get rid of its waste products adequately. Some symptoms
that may occur when blood flow decreases to the legs include, but are not limited
to, the following:
- leg pain and/or weakness during exertion (known as claudication)
- swelling
- soreness, tenderness, redness, and/or warmth in the leg(s)
- pale and cool skin; may even be grayish or blue
- numbness or tingling
- rest pain (pain in the foot that occurs when sitting or lying down and is
relieved by standing)
- ulcers, or sores
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