Service details
Procedure details and treatment flow
Color doppler blood vessels of legs and arms
Color doppler is a completely painless and harmless (non-invasive) ultrasound diagnostic method that examines in detail the condition and function of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) of the arms and legs.
This method precisely measures the intensity of the flow and the direction of the blood flow, thus determining with high certainty whether there is damage to the blood vessels, narrowing or expansion, and the exact degree of these disorders is determined.
In our polyclinic in Kragujevac, this examination is routinely performed on state-of-the-art devices, and it is of crucial importance for early diagnosis and prevention of serious vascular diseases.
Risk factors and when to see a doctor: People whose profession requires standing for a long time (surgeons, waiters, dentists, hairdressers), as well as people with a genetic predisposition, are particularly exposed to vein diseases.
If you feel pains and cramps in your legs while walking, have pronounced swelling, a feeling of heaviness, visible enlarged veins or a change in skin color, an ultrasound examination is a necessary first step towards adequate treatment. The symptoms are especially pronounced in the summer, because due to the effect of heat, the veins expand further, and the blood flows more slowly.
Overview of the venous and arterial system
Blood vessels are divided into arteries (which carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the tissues) and veins (which return blood from the periphery back to the heart). The examination analyzes both systems in detail.
1. Venous system (Sonography of veins)
Leg veins are divided into deep (between muscles), superficial (immediately under the skin) i perforating (which connect them). Healthy venous valves ("valves") do not allow blood to flow backwards. When they give way, blood builds up and dilates the veins.
Ultrasound of the veins determines the presence of:
- Deep vein thrombosis: Formation of clots accompanied by swelling and pain.
- Inadequate valve functions: Venous insufficiency.
- Dilated (varicose) veins.
- Thromboinflammatory processes on the superficial venous system.
2. Arterial system of extremities
Arteries carry blood from the heart to the periphery, supplying tissues with nutrients and oxygen. The most common symptom of leg artery disease is severe pain when walking that stops after a short rest (claudication).
With this method, we successfully detect on the arteries:
- Atherosclerotic plaques: Deposits that narrow the wall of a blood vessel.
- Stenosis: Narrowing of blood vessels that impede flow.
- Aneurysms: Dangerous enlargement of the artery wall.
- Thrombosis and embolism: Partial or complete blockage of an artery by a blood clot.
The importance of the muscle pump
The transport of venous blood from the periphery to the heart takes place against the force of gravity. This process is possible only thanks to the contraction of the muscles located next to the veins. That's why it's crucial that whenever you stand or sit for long periods of time, you always activate the so-called "muscle pump" - by moving your legs, leaning on your toes and walking regularly, in order to promote proper circulation and prevent blood retention.