A Colour Doppler ultrasound study is mainly useful to find out pathologies affecting or blocking the normal blood flow in the body.
Colour Doppler test is a type of ultrasound investigation which is non-invasive, painless and radiation-free technique that is used for the estimation of velocity and direction of the blood flow through the blood vessels in real-time. In case there are any problems in the blood flow via blood vessels, the same is detected through Colour Doppler.
There are these following types in a Doppler ultrasound study: Colour Doppler, Spectral Doppler, Power Doppler, Continuous-wave Doppler and Duplex Doppler.
Colour Doppler ultrasound can be used to examine both arteries and veins due to its dynamic and real-time properties.
Different types of ultrasound techniques can be used for different parts of the body. Cardiac function in association with electrocardiogram, detection of varicose veins to check for the incompetence of venous valves (Venous Doppler), venous thrombosis in the case of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), to check patency of arterio-venous fistula in patients of dialysis, to check for arterial occlusions in cases of peripheral arterial disease (PVD) (Arterial Doppler) and carotid artery stenosis (Carotid Doppler), check for renal artery stenosis in cases of acute hypertension (Renal Doppler), to check for portal veins thrombosis by performing a portal Doppler.
A Doppler Ultrasound is also used in pregnancy to check for uteroplacental or fetoplacental insufficiencies.
