Doppler Arterial Lower Limb - Right Ultrasound Scan

• Purpose: Map the speed and direction of blood flow in arteries from groin to ankle
• Non-invasive: No needles, no incisions
• Radiation-free: Uses harmless sound waves, safe for pregnant women and children

Doppler ultrasound measures how red blood cells move through your arteries. A small handheld probe (transducer) sends high-frequency sound waves into the right leg. As the waves bounce back, a computer converts them into colour images and audible sounds that reveal:

• Narrowed areas (stenosis)
• Blocked vessels (occlusion)
• Abnormal waveforms suggesting poor perfusion

We record:

• Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV) – highest speed during heart contraction
• End-Diastolic Velocity (EDV) – residual speed when heart relaxes
• Resistive Index (RI) – (PSV-EDV)/PSV; high RI indicates distal obstruction
• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) – ankle systolic pressure ÷ arm systolic pressure; <0.9 suggests PAD

• Evaluate unexplained leg pain or cramps
• Monitor known peripheral artery disease (PAD) for progression
• Check patency of bypass grafts or stents post-surgery

See Cadabams Diagnostics if you have:

• Leg pain or cramping while walking (intermittent claudication)
• Cold, pale, or bluish foot
• Slow-healing ulcers or wounds on toes High-risk groups:
• Diabetes mellitus
• Smokers (current or former)
• Hypertension or high cholesterol
• History of heart disease or stroke

• Early detection of blockages before gangrene or amputation
• Guides treatment planning: angioplasty, medication, lifestyle changes
• Prevents limb-threatening complications by timely intervention

• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
• Arterial stenosis or occlusion
• Diabetic vasculopathy
• Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome

• Fasting: Usually not required
• Clothing: Wear loose shorts or skirt; you may need to undress from waist down
• Skin: Remove lotions, oils, or talcum powder from the right leg

• Bring a list of current medications
• Inform staff of recent vascular surgery or stents
• Notify if you have open ulcers or wounds so we can cover them properly

• Morning slots reduce leg swelling from daily activity
• When symptoms flare up—pain, cramping, or colour changes—yields most accurate results

• Adults aged 18 and above with leg symptoms or risk factors
• Elderly patients (no upper age limit)
• Pregnant women (safe for mother and foetus)
• Not ideal for patients with extensive leg casts that block access

Step 1: Lie flat on the examination table; legs slightly apart Step 2: A warm gel is applied to the right groin, thigh, knee, and ankle Step 3: The transducer is glided along the skin; you’ll hear whooshing sounds Step 4: Gentle pressure checks each artery segment; total time 20–30 minutes

• Tell the technician about non-healing ulcers—we’ll use sterile gel
• Mention recent angioplasty or bypass so we avoid fresh incisions
• Bring compression stockings you wear daily; we may ask you to remove them

Minimal Risks

• No radiation exposure
• No iodine contrast dye, so no allergy risk

Possible Limitations

• Operator dependency: Accuracy depends on technician skill
• Obesity: Extra tissue can scatter sound waves
• Severe calcification: Hardened arteries may hide true flow