A venous duplex ultrasound is a test using high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) that evaluates the flow of blood through the veins of the arms or legs.
Reason for procedure:
To investigate the cause of the following symptoms in an arm or leg:
Pain
Swelling
Increased warmth
Bulging veins
To diagnose the following:
A blood clot
Deep or superficial vein thrombosis
Venous insufficiency (reflux)
Preparation:
None
What is done during the procedure?
A brief history will be obtained. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown. You will be asked to lie on a table. Gel will be placed on the skin of your arm or leg, over the veins being tested. The technologist may apply varying degrees of pressure to the probe against your skin in order to better visualize the vein and see if it can collapse under pressure.
How long will it take?
The length of the test varies, depending on your particular situation. However, in most cases, it will take between 15–30 minutes.
Will it hurt?
In general, this test is not painful. However, if you are having pain, you may feel some mild discomfort as pressure is applied to your arm or leg.
