Color Doppler Services
Clinico Color Doppler Services at Mulund, Bhandup & Thane
At Clinico diagnostic centres, we conduct various specialised screening tests of Color Doppler including the Venous System – Lower Limb, Scrotum Varicocele, Arterial System- Lower Limb, Renal Doppler and OBST Doppler.
What is Color Doppler?
Color Doppler is a type of ultrasound test wherein colours are superimposed on an image of a blood vessel that helps indicate the speed & direction of blood flow in the vessel.
This type of ultrasound test makes use of a computer to alter sound waves into various colours. These colours display the real-time speed and direction of blood flow.
A new kind of color doppler test called Power Doppler helps acquire more detailed info regarding blood flow compared to a standard color doppler test.
Purpose of Color Doppler Test
The color doppler test helps diagnose conditions and heart diseases that are decreasing or blocking the blood flow in the heart. This test is generally used to:
- Examine heart function
- Check for blockages in blood flow
- Inspect for blood vessel damage and issues in the heart structure
- Examine for narrowing of blood vessels
- Monitor blood flow after surgery.
- Inspect for normal blood flow in a pregnant woman and her unborn baby
When is a Color Doppler Test necessary?
- When you experience symptoms of reduced blood flow or a heart disease
- Sustain injury to the blood vessels
- During ongoing treatment for a blood flow disorder
- For a pregnant woman with suspected blood flow issue in the unborn baby
Color Doppler Test Procedure
Here is the step-by-step procedure of the color doppler test:
- You will be asked to lie on a table while exposing the area of your body to be tested
- A staff member will apply and spread a special gel on your skin over that particular area
- A handheld device named a transducer will be moved over the area
- The transducer will send sound waves into your body during this process
- You will usually hear pulse-like or swishing sounds during the test
- The waves will get recorded & converted into images/graphs with various colours on a monitor
- Once the images are captured, the gel will be wiped off your body by the staff member
- The duration of the test is normally around 30-60 minutes
Preparation for the Color Doppler Test
You may be asked to do the following before the test:
- Remove any clothing & jewellery that may be covering the area of the body to be tested
- Avoid cigarettes and other products containing nicotine for about two hours before the test
- Fasting may sometimes be required prior to the test
Risks associated with the Color Doppler Test
The color doppler test is totally safe with no related risks.
Color Doppler Test Results
A doctor will check the test results for any signs of:
- Abnormal blood flow
- Narrowed blood vessels
- Blockages or clots in arteries of the heart
- Aneurysm (ballooning & weakened area in an artery)
