Doppler ultrasound exam of an extremity

Alternative names:

Doppler ultrasonography

Normal values:

The veins show no evidence of narrowing or closure.

The arteries have normal systolic and diastolic components on the ultrasound. There is normal blood pressure, no sign of a narrowing or closure, and a normal ankle-to-brachial arterial blood pressure index (comparison of the pressure at the ankle and at the arm to the brachial artery) of 0.85 or greater.

What abnormal results mean:

• In the veins:
  • venous occlusion (closing of vein)
  • blood clots

• In the arteries:
  • arterial occlusive disease
  • spastic arterial disease (arterial contractions brought on by cold or emotion)
  • embolic arterial occlusion (obstruction in the artery by a solid body such as a blood clot, fat globules, or air bubbles.)

  Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

  • aortic dissection
  • aortic insufficiency
  • aortic stenosis
  • arteriosclerosis of the extremities
  • coarctation of the aorta
  • deep venous thrombosis
  • hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • mitral stenosis
  • pulmonary valve stenosis
  • stroke secondary to carotid stenosis
  • superficial thrombophlebitis
  • SVC obstruction
  • thromboangiitis obliterans