Color Doppler

Color Doppler is a technique used in medical imaging, particularly in ultrasound, to visualize and assess blood flow within the body. It's an extension of traditional Doppler ultrasound, which measures the velocity and direction of blood flow using sound waves.

In Color Doppler imaging, the ultrasound machine assigns colors to the flow of blood within blood vessels. Typically, red and blue colors are used to represent blood flow in different directions. For example, blood flowing toward the transducer (probe) is typically displayed in red, while blood flowing away from the transducer is displayed in blue.

Color Doppler imaging provides real-time visualization of blood flow, allowing healthcare providers to assess the direction, velocity, and patterns of blood flow within vessels. It's commonly used to evaluate blood flow in arteries and veins, detect abnormalities such as narrowing (stenosis) or blockages, assess the function of heart valves, and diagnose conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, arterial stenosis, or vascular malformations.

Color Doppler ultrasound is non-invasive, safe, and well-tolerated by patients, making it a valuable tool in various medical specialties, including cardiology, vascular medicine, obstetrics, and radiology.