What is a venous duplex ultrasound?

Ultrasound is the name given to a branch of machines that assist doctors in visualizing what’s under the skin. A venous ultrasound allows doctors to see what’s going on within your veins! This test is often focused on the deep veins of the legs, because those are difficult to test with conventional techniques.

The procedure is performed with gel and ultrasound machines. First, a gel is applied to the skin help transmit waves. Then, small inaudible sound waves are transmitted to and from a probe attached to a computer, which reads these waves and makes an image out of them.

As the ultrasound is so sensitive and uses gel, it is necessary to remove the clothing in the vicinity of where the ultrasound will be placed.

 
 

Dr. Leandro Perez provides an overview of what you can expect during a venous duplex ultrasound examination.

 
 

Why is a venous ultrasound important?

A venous ultrasound is extremely useful in finding and treating a branch of disease caused thrombosis. A venous thrombosis is essentially a blood clot within the veins.

A superficial thrombosis is relatively simple to treat locally, especially if Venous Ultrasound can be used to tell your doctor exactly where it is.

A deep vein thrombosis, however, is much more dangerous. It has the potential to travel up to the lungs, causing Pulmonary Embolism—a potentially fatal condition. Venous Ultrasound is vital to finding and treating DVT’s Early.

No one really knows what causes DVTs but there are several risk factors that your doctor may screen you for.

  • Previous surgery or injuries to the veins

  • Old age

  • A history of smoking

  • A genetic history of DVT or Chronic DVTs

  • Obesity

  • Long term sedentary-ness.

If you have any of these and your doctor thinks you may have a DVT, he may order you to have a venous ultrasound performed.

 

To request a venous ultrasound click below or call (239) 300–0586