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These tests measure blood flow and blood pressure. A duplex study is a test which uses Doppler ultrasound to assess and/or monitor blood flow through arteries or veins. Plethysmography measures changes in blood volume in a blood vessel.

How the Test is Performed

For the Duplex/Doppler ultrasound:
Clothing from the area being monitored is removed, and a probe with a conductive gel (like vasoline) on the tip is placed on various points along the vessel being tested. This enables the technician to evaluate blood flow through the vessels. The information is relayed to the ultrasound monitor to be viewed and recorded.

For a plethysmography:
Blood pressure is first monitored in both arms.

The clothing from the extremity being tested is removed and the patient lies on his or her back. A blood pressure cuff is applied to the extremity being tested and inflated until the pulsatile flow is no longer heard. Then the pressure is released from the cuff until the flow returns. The blood pressure when flow returns is recorded and the information is transmitted to a computer which records and interprets the information.

The blood pressure cuff may be moved to other positions on the same or other extremities during the test. After the readings are taken, the patient may be re-tested while in another position such as sitting or standing.

How to Prepare for the Test

Clothing over the extremity being tested will be removed just before the test. Medications being used that can alter blood flow will be recorded before the test. In general, there is no other special preparation necessary for these tests.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:

infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the Test will Feel

For the plethysmography, the blood pressure cuff will constrict the arm or leg, but there is no pain. The gel used for the duplex ultrasound may feel cold when it is placed on your skin.

Why the Test is Performed

These tests are noninvasive (external) tests used to determine if there is significant disease in either arteries or veins, if adequate blood is reaching an extremity, to evaluate trauma to a blood vessel, or to monitor patients with arterial reconstruction or graphs. These tests can also detect blood clots.

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