Doppler Ultrasound in Sharjah

What is a Doppler ultrasound?

A Doppler ultrasound is a type of ultrasound scan that shows how blood is moving inside your blood vessels. An ordinary ultrasound shows the shape of organs. Doppler adds a second layer of information: the speed and direction of the blood flowing through them. The name comes from the Doppler effect, the same change in pitch you hear as an ambulance siren passes you, because sound waves bouncing off moving blood cells return at a slightly different pitch.

On the screen, blood flow appears in colour, usually red and blue to show the direction of flow. A graph called a waveform shows the speed of the blood with each heartbeat, and the machine often plays this flow as a whooshing sound. A narrowed artery, a blocked vein or a vein that lets blood fall backwards each leaves a recognisable pattern.

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, Doppler ultrasound is part of the Radiology department. A radiologist reviews the images and measurements and writes the report your treating doctor uses to plan care. General organ scanning is described on the ultrasound scan page, and heart ultrasound on the echocardiogram page.

Who needs it

Your doctor may request a Doppler ultrasound to check:

• Leg veins for a clot, called deep vein thrombosis, when one calf or leg is swollen, painful, warm or red, especially after a long flight, surgery or a period of bed rest
• Leg arteries for narrowing, when walking brings on calf pain that eases with rest, or when a foot wound is slow to heal
• Varicose veins, to see which valves inside the veins are letting blood flow backwards before any treatment is planned
• The carotid arteries in the neck, after a mini-stroke (transient ischaemic attack) or other stroke-like symptoms
• Vessels in the abdomen, such as the aorta or the blood supply to the kidneys or liver, when a specific question needs answering

Doppler scans are usually requested through General Medicine, Cardiology or Neuroscience. Leg artery results often feed into peripheral artery disease treatment, and abdominal aorta measurements into aortic aneurysm care.

Long-haul travel is part of life for many UAE residents, and a swollen, painful calf after a long flight is a common reason for a vein Doppler. Call emergency services straight away if a swollen leg comes with sudden breathlessness, chest pain or coughing blood, as a clot may have travelled to the lungs. Call emergency services too for sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, a drooping face or difficulty speaking.

What happens

The scan is performed in a private room. You lie on a couch with the area being examined uncovered, and a cool water-based gel is applied to the skin. The probe is moved slowly along the course of the blood vessel while the images, colour flow and waveforms are recorded.

What you experience depends on the vessels being examined:

| Scan | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Leg veins for a clot | Gentle pressure with the probe along the vein, since a healthy vein squashes flat and a vein with a clot stays open |
| Varicose veins | Much of the scan is done standing, because backward flow shows up when you are upright; the calf may be squeezed briefly to push blood through the veins |
| Leg arteries | You lie flat while the arteries are followed from the groin to the ankle; blood pressure cuffs may be used on the arms and ankles |
| Carotid arteries | You lie with your head turned slightly to one side while each side of the neck is scanned |
| Abdominal vessels | You lie on your back and may be asked to hold your breath at times |

You may hear the whooshing sound of your own blood flow during the scan. Most Doppler studies take around 20 to 45 minutes, with scans of both legs taking longer.

Preparing for it

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that makes the area easy to reach, such as a top that opens at the neck for a carotid scan or loose trousers for a leg scan. For varicose vein studies, you may be asked to remove trousers and wear a gown, since you will stand during part of the scan.

Carotid and leg scans need no special preparation, and you can eat, drink and take your medicines as usual. Scans of the vessels in the abdomen usually need fasting for several hours beforehand, so the bowel is quiet and the vessels show clearly. If your appointment falls during Ramadan, a fasting abdominal scan can often be timed within the fast. Bring your referral, a list of your medicines, including any blood thinners, and previous scan reports.

Afterwards

You can go back to your normal activities, including driving, straight away. The radiologist sends the report to the doctor who requested the scan, who explains the result and any next step. If a clot is found, treatment is usually started promptly, and your doctor explains how it is managed. If a procedure on a vein or artery is advised, your doctor arranges referral to a specialist centre that provides it.

Contact the doctor who arranged your scan if your leg becomes more swollen, painful or red while you wait for the result. Call emergency services straight away if you develop sudden breathlessness, chest pain, or stroke symptoms such as face drooping, arm weakness or difficulty speaking.

Cost and insurance

Most UAE health insurance plans cover a Doppler ultrasound when a doctor requests it for symptoms or a known condition. Some plans need pre-approval, particularly for varicose vein assessment, which may be treated as cosmetic under certain policies. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover on 06 599 7777.