Dopplerundersøgelser

Dopplerundersøgelser, also known as Doppler ultrasonography or Doppler sonography, is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses Doppler ultrasound to assess blood flow in the body. This method is a specialized application of standard ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create images of internal body structures. The Doppler component specifically measures the speed and direction of blood flow by analyzing changes in the frequency of the returning ultrasound waves.

When ultrasound waves encounter moving red blood cells, their frequency is altered. This phenomenon, known as the Doppler effect, is what the Doppler examination utilizes. If blood is flowing towards the ultrasound transducer, the frequency of the returning waves increases, while if it is flowing away, the frequency decreases. A machine then processes these frequency shifts to generate visual information about blood flow, often displayed as colored patterns overlaid on a standard grayscale ultrasound image or as graphs representing flow velocity.

Dopplerundersøgelser are widely used in various medical fields. In vascular medicine, they are crucial for diagnosing and monitoring conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, arterial stenosis, and aneurysms. Obstetricians use Doppler ultrasounds to evaluate blood flow to the fetus and placenta, ensuring adequate development and detecting potential complications. Cardiologists employ Doppler echocardiography to assess blood flow through the heart valves and chambers, identifying abnormalities like regurgitation or narrowing. The technique can also be used in other areas, such as assessing blood flow in organs like the liver and kidneys.