Dopplerultraäänitutkimukset

Dopplerultraääni, often referred to as Doppler ultrasonography or simply Doppler ultrasound, is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses Doppler principles to assess the movement of blood or other fluids within the body. It is an extension of conventional ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create images of internal structures. While standard ultrasound visualizes anatomy, Doppler ultrasound specifically focuses on the velocity and direction of blood flow.

The technique works by emitting sound waves from a transducer, which are then reflected off moving blood cells. As these cells move towards or away from the transducer, the frequency of the returning sound waves changes. This frequency shift, known as the Doppler effect, is detected and processed by the ultrasound machine to generate a visual representation of blood flow. This can appear as colored patterns superimposed on a standard ultrasound image, with different colors typically indicating different directions of flow, or as waveforms representing the speed of the blood.

Doppler ultrasound is widely used in various medical specialties. In cardiology, it helps evaluate heart valve function, detect blood clots, and assess blood flow through the coronary arteries. In vascular medicine, it is crucial for diagnosing conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and carotid artery stenosis. Obstetricians use Doppler ultrasound to monitor fetal well-being by assessing blood flow in the umbilical cord and to detect potential complications. The diagnostic information provided by Doppler ultrasound is invaluable for physicians in making accurate diagnoses and planning effective treatment strategies.