Skip to main content
Cardiolucent

Procedure

Vascular Doppler Ultrasound

Non-invasive blood-flow assessment of arteries and veins

Vascular Doppler studies are non-invasive ultrasound exams that visualize blood flow in arteries and veins outside the heart. The most common studies evaluate the carotid arteries in the neck (a marker of stroke risk and a window onto systemic atherosclerosis), the leg arteries (for peripheral artery disease), the leg veins (for deep vein thrombosis), the abdominal aorta (for aneurysm), and the renal arteries (for resistant hypertension). All are painless, radiation-free, and performed by a registered vascular sonographer.

What's Included

  • B-mode 2D ultrasound imaging of the target vessels
  • Color Doppler flow mapping
  • Spectral Doppler velocity measurements at standard segments
  • Wall-thickness and plaque characterization (carotids)
  • Ankle-brachial index (ABI) when leg arteries are studied
  • Comparison with prior studies when available
  • Personal review of findings with Dr. Kedan

How It's Performed

You lie on a padded exam table while a registered vascular sonographer applies ultrasound gel and moves a probe across the area of interest. Imaging takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on the study. There is no radiation, no contrast, and no needles. Carotid, leg-vein, and aortic studies are typically performed at a partner vascular lab; bedside POCUS is often used in the office for a first look.

How to Prepare

  • For carotid and leg studies: no special preparation needed.
  • For abdominal aorta and renal artery studies: fast for 6 to 8 hours to reduce bowel gas.
  • Wear loose clothing that allows easy access to the area being studied.
  • Continue all routine medications.
  • Bring prior vascular reports for direct comparison.

What to Expect After

No recovery required — resume all normal activity immediately. Dr. Kedan reviews the images and measurements personally and walks you through the findings at a follow-up visit. The result usually maps directly to a clear next step: continued surveillance, medication optimization, lifestyle change, or referral for further intervention.

Indications

  • Stroke or transient ischemic attack (carotid study)
  • Carotid bruit on physical exam
  • Leg pain with walking that resolves at rest (claudication)
  • Non-healing leg wounds or cold feet
  • Suspected deep vein thrombosis
  • Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm in older men with risk factors
  • Resistant hypertension or asymmetric kidney function

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a vascular Doppler study?
It is an ultrasound exam that combines a standard 2D picture of a blood vessel with Doppler measurement of the velocity and direction of blood flow inside it. The combination shows both anatomy (the vessel wall, any plaque, the diameter) and function (how fast and in what pattern blood is moving).
Which vessels are commonly studied?
Carotid arteries in the neck, arteries and veins of the legs, the abdominal aorta, and the renal arteries are the most common targets. Less frequently, mesenteric, subclavian, and dialysis-access vessels are also studied.
How long does the test take?
20 to 45 minutes depending on the study. A focused carotid duplex is the shortest; a complete leg-artery study with ankle-brachial index is the longest.
How do I prepare?
Most studies need no preparation. For abdominal aorta and renal studies, fast for 6 to 8 hours so bowel gas doesn't obscure the images. Take routine medications as usual.
Is it painful?
No. You may feel modest pressure as the sonographer angles the probe to capture different views, and the gel is sometimes cool, but the exam itself is painless.
Are there any risks?
None. Ultrasound is among the safest imaging modalities — no ionizing radiation, no contrast, no needles.
What do the results show?
Vessel diameter, wall thickness, plaque presence and characteristics, percent narrowing, and detailed velocity measurements at each segment. For carotids, the result is reported as a percentage of luminal narrowing; for leg arteries, the report includes the ankle-brachial index and waveform morphology.
Who interprets the study?
The reading is performed by a vascular sonographer-physician team and reviewed personally by Dr. Kedan, who integrates the result into your overall cardiovascular plan.
When will I get the results?
Typically within 24 to 72 hours of the study. Findings are reviewed in detail at a follow-up visit.
How do I schedule one?
Call Cardiolucent at (310) 304-5555. Bedside POCUS may be performed in the office; full vascular Doppler studies are coordinated through a partner vascular lab.

Explore

Related Procedures

See your circulation, vessel by vessel.

Schedule with Dr. Kedan in Beverly Hills.
Schedule an Appointment

Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.