CDS of the vessels of the lower extremities. What it is

CDS of leg vessels is a modern and one of the most informative research methods of arteries and veins of the lower extremities. This diagnostic method is used for early detection of cardiovascular pathologies, as well as effective control of already acquired diseases.

The survey is carried out in public and private medical institutions. A distinctive feature of this diagnostic method is that it has no contraindications, it lasts no more than 20-30 min., and after its completion, the attending physician receives an exhaustive amount of information about the functional state of the vessels the patient.

What is color duplex scanning

CDS (color duplex scanning) of the blood vessels of the lower extremities is a hardware study of the veins and arteries of the legs, which combines 3 diagnostic techniques at once. This is an echography, mapping and study of Doppler blood flow velocity in color. During the examination, an image is displayed on the computer monitor, which displays the general condition of the tissues of the veins and arteries.

The presence of a colored background allows the doctor to better assess possible changes that have occurred in the vessels of the patient's legs under the influence of certain diseases. This survey method can be used for prophylactic purposes for early detection diseases, and is also used at all stages of treatment of vascular pathologies to monitor the results therapy.

What the diagnostics reveal

CDS of the vessels of the lower extremities is prescribed for patients of different age groups.

This diagnostic method allows you to obtain the following information about the veins and arteries of the legs:

• assess the general condition of the vessel walls and detect potential changes in the structure of the endothelial layer;
• identify narrowing or pathological expansion of the lumen inside the arteries and veins;
• to investigate the level of performance of the valve apparatus of the venous vessels;
• to predict the risk of developing post-thrombotic disease in patients who have undergone a course of complex treatment of thrombosis;
• detect the possible presence of blood clots, as well as record the main parameters of blood clots;
• to assess the degree of influence of thrombotic formations on the indicator of the general performance of the cardiovascular system;
• fix a decrease in blood flow velocity in the largest arterial vessels;
• conduct early diagnosis of varicose veins, thrombosis, and thrombophlebitis.

CDS is a hardware diagnostic method that allows you to identify the risks associated with the possible occurrence of postoperative complications. For example, if the patient is being prepared for a complex surgical operation. In this case, the study of blood vessels makes it possible to detect pathologies that are postoperative period can lead to pulmonary embolism with further death the patient.

Method advantages

The following advantages of the CDS method of veins and arteries of the lower extremities are distinguished:

• absolute safety;
• the examination does not require the use of contrast agents or other chemicals;
• the patient does not experience any feeling of pain or discomfort in the area of ​​diagnostic manipulations;
• the total duration of the study of blood vessels lasts no more than 20-30 minutes;
• the obtained diagnostic result is recorded in electronic format, which allows re-examination the general condition of the patient's veins and arteries (for example, at different stages of treatment or during the period of recurrence of chronic diseases);
• during the examination, all information about the functional state of the vessels is displayed in color, which facilitates the process of decoding the diagnostic results;
• CDS allows you to identify the initial stages of vascular diseases of the legs, when a person does not yet feel the symptoms of pathology;
• the use of this diagnostic method is possible without any restrictions, since this study does not have a negative impact on the human body (for example, in case of therapeutic need, the doctor can scan the veins and arteries of the patient weekly);
• the examination does not require the patient to comply with particularly complex rules for preparing the body before the prescribed diagnosis.

The most important advantage of the CDS of the vessels of the lower extremities is that this method is the most informative in terms of detecting diseases of the veins and arteries of the legs. At the same time, the cost of the survey is affordable for the majority of citizens with a stable income.

Equipment for CDS

The CDS of the vessels of the lower extremities provides for the use of the latest equipment that visualizes the blood vessels of the legs. The table below describes the technical characteristics of the device with which this diagnostic method is carried out.

Equipment for CDS	Functional purpose of the device
Ultrasound Scanning Machine	The main diagnostic tool, which generates high frequency ultrasonic waves, receives a return signal after studies of blood vessels, carries out its digital processing, and then gives the final diagnostic result to the monitor computer. The image of the functional state of veins and arteries is transmitted in color, which greatly simplifies the detection of potential foci of pathology.
CDS sensor	This device is connected to the main diagnostic device with a cable, and its purpose is transmission of ultrasonic waves to the area of ​​the investigated tissues with simultaneous fixation of their physiological states. An electronic sensor scans all areas of the venous and arterial vessels of the legs. The operator of this device is the doctor who performs the diagnostic examination of the patient.
Computer monitor	A special monitor is included with the device for CDS, to which the results of duplex scanning are transmitted. This part of the diagnostic device allows the physician to examine the condition of the patient's blood vessels in real time.

Recording of examination results and processing of information data is carried out by means of software installed on a computer device for CDS. The diagnostic opinion is drawn up by the doctor in writing, and a copy of it is saved on an electronic medium. In the event of a relapse of the disease or undergoing a routine preventive examination, the attending phlebologist gets the opportunity to study previous diagnostic results of the patient, assesses the severity of pathological changes in the functional state of his blood vessels.

Indications and contraindications for

CDS of the vessels of the lower extremities has a minimum number of contraindications for its implementation. This diagnostic method is not used in the presence of trophic ulcers, purulent and inflammatory formations on the surface of the patient's leg skin. A similar clinical picture is possible if a person has severe complications of varicose veins, or thrombophlebitis. In this case, preliminary measures are taken to eliminate foci of the inflammatory process, to heal wounds and ulcers.

Duplex scanning of veins and arteries in color is indicated for patients who, according to the results of a preliminary examination, signs of the following diseases and pathological conditions of blood vessels were found:

• varicose veins, regardless of the severity and stage of the disease;
• previous severe injuries of the lower extremities, which led to violations of the venous and arterial circulation;
• periodic complaints of aching or sharp pain in the depths of the tissues of the lower extremities, the origin of which is unknown;
• the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in large vessels in only one or both legs at once;
• obliterating endarteritis;
• progressive narrowing of the lumen between the walls of the veins and arteries (this pathology can be of an innate nature of origin, or it arises as a result of atherosclerosis, inflammatory processes);
• thrombophlebitis (in this case, the CDS of the vessels must be performed without fail, since there is a high the risk of blood clot migration in the general circulation with the development of pulmonary embolism and further onset of death);
• severe edema of the lower extremities that occurs after prolonged stay on the legs or in a sitting position (similar symptoms indicate weakness of the vascular wall of the venous vessels, which can be detected during duplex scan);
• the appearance of cramps and numbness of certain parts of the legs, where large venous and arterial vessels pass.

The direction for duplex scanning in color is prescribed by a general practitioner, phlebologist or surgeon specializing in the elimination of vascular pathologies. In combination with this diagnostic method, a laboratory test of the patient's blood for the level of platelets is mandatory. Based on the results of the examination, an effective scheme for further therapy is selected.

Preparing for CDS

CDS of the vessels of the lower extremities requires a minimum number of preparatory measures.

In this case, it is enough to observe the following algorithm of actions:

1. Drink the usual amount of fluids without limiting yourself to drinking water without gases.
2. No smoking within the last 30 minutes. before visiting the diagnostic room.
3. Do not drink alcohol 24 hours before the examination.
4. On the morning of the diagnosis, hygiene the skin surface of the feet using soap, warm water and a clean, dry towel.
5. Stop taking medications 3 days before the scan, the pharmacological properties of which are in the effect on the cellular composition of the blood or the tone of the vascular wall. The exceptions are cases when therapy with these medications is vital.

Before traveling to the diagnostic center, you should remove bracelets and other jewelry from the surface of the ankle joint, the presence of which may distort the scan results. In case of examination at a public hospital, it is recommended that you bring a diaper or a large bath towel with you.

With the help of these things, the couch is covered, on which the patient will have to lie down during duplex scanning. In a private clinic, these consumables are already included in the cost of the examination. Patients taking any medication should provide this information to the examining physician.

How is the CDS of the vessels of the lower extremities performed?

Duplex scanning of the arteries and veins of the legs is performed in a specially equipped office. The diagnostic process may differ insignificantly depending on which blood vessel is subject to hardware examination.

Duplex scanning of the venous system of the lower extremities

Duplex scanning of the venous system of the lower extremities is performed in compliance with the following algorithm of actions:

1. The patient goes to the diagnostic room, and then lies down on the surface of the couch.
2. The patient exposes the surface of the lower extremities.
3. The examining physician places the duplex probe on the areas of the legs where the major venous vessels pass.
4. The computer device records information data on the functional state of the patient's venous system.
5. The doctor analyzes the color image of the patient's blood vessels, which is displayed on the monitor of the diagnostic apparatus.

After completing the examination, the patient dresses and can independently leave the walls of the clinic. If necessary, the doctor appoints the next diagnosis date, or else conducts a written transcript of the research results.

Duplex scanning of the inferior vena cava

The inferior vena cava is responsible for collecting venous blood from the smaller tributaries of the posterior abdominal wall. To conduct a duplex scanning of this vessel, a hardware study of a part of the patient's body at the level of the solar plexus is performed. The use of such a diagnostic approach is due to the fact that the lower part of the vena cava ends at the level of 4-5 vertebrae of the lumbar spine. The main section of this vessel is concentrated in the retroperitoneal space on the right side of the aorta.

A duplex scan of this vein looks like this:

1. The patient is in a supine position with a bare torso.
2. The doctor places the sensor of the diagnostic apparatus at the level of the solar plexus.
3. Ultrasonic waves record the size of a venous vessel, the thickness of its walls, blood flow velocity, the presence or absence of thrombotic formations.

After completing the diagnosis, the patient gets dressed and then leaves the walls of the diagnostic room. The performance of all venous vessels of the legs depends on the state of the inferior vena cava.

Duplex scanning of lower limb arteries

Duplex scanning of the arteries of the lower extremities is carried out according to exactly the same principle as the diagnostic study of venous vessels. In this case, the patient also goes to the doctor's office in the same way, and then takes a comfortable position on the couch. Depending on which vessel is to be diagnosed, the doctor may ask the patient to lie on his back, stomach or side.

Duplex scanning of these vessels includes the study of the entire arterial network of the legs, or individual areas. During CDS, special attention is paid to the femoral, popliteal, external and internal iliac arteries. Upon completion of the examination, the patient independently leaves the duplex scanning room.

How long does the procedure last, what sensations it causes

The total duration of this diagnostic procedure is from 10 to 30 minutes. depending on the complexity of the clinical case. The patient does not experience any discomfort. Feelings of coldness or mild skin irritation may occur when your feet are in contact with the scanner's sensor. There is no pain, tingling, itching or burning sensation at all. The occurrence of unpleasant sensations is possible if the patient initially had attacks of pain in the lower extremities, which are caused by a pathological condition of the veins or arteries.

Decoding the results

Upon completion of the diagnosis of veins and arteries using duplex scanning in color, the stage of decoding the results obtained begins. At this stage, a medical protocol is drawn up, which displays the functional state of the vessels according to the main criteria.

Deciphering the results of scanning arteries

During the decoding of the results of the CDS of the arteries, the compliance of the functional state of these vessels with the following criteria is checked:

• whether the walls of the arteries are too thin, have a normal or impaired endothelial density, or are there pathological thickening in certain parts of the blood vessel;
• an assessment of the blood flow velocity in different sections of the blood vessel is carried out;
• the facts of arterial stenosis are recorded, and the degree of narrowing of the intra-arterial lumen is also indicated.

The medical report, which is drawn up by the doctor immediately after the completion of the CDS of the arteries of the legs, indicates the degree of permeability of the blood flow. Based on this diagnosis, the doctor can make a prognosis for the possible occurrence of complications caused by ischemia of the blood vessels. All informational indicators recorded during duplex scanning in color are transferred to a medical report.

Deciphering the results of a vein scan

Based on the results of duplex scanning of veins, decoding is carried out with the display of the following indicators, which indicate the general condition of blood vessels of this type:

• thickening or stratification of the walls of the veins (if the vascular endothelium is too thin, then the parameters of pathological changes are indicated);
• the presence or absence of blood clots (in the case of the appearance of blood clots, their size and type are described, the risks of separation from the venous vessel with further migration along the general blood flow are assessed);
• the numerical number of veins with a diameter of the lumen between the walls of more than 3 mm is indicated;
• blood vessels with reduced functions of the valve apparatus are fixed (similar results of the study are characteristic of the initial stage of varicose veins disease);
• the quality of natural compression of the collectors of venous vessels is assessed.

For each patient, the above diagnostic results are individual, depending on the general condition of the veins in the legs. Deciphering the examination according to these parameters takes from 30 to 40 minutes. depending on the severity of the clinical case. During the preparation of the medical opinion, the patient's age, concomitant diseases with a chronic form of the course are taken into account.

How much does diagnostics cost?

The average cost of the CDS of the vessels of the lower extremities in private clinics ranges from 3600 to 5500 rubles. In state diagnostic institutions, this examination is carried out free of charge.

Color duplex scanning is an advanced method of ultrasound diagnostics of the lower extremities. The advantage of this method of examination is considered its high level of information content, the presence high-quality digital images in color, painlessness and minimal probability of receiving false results.

CDS of the blood vessels of the lower extremities is carried out in public and private clinics in order to diagnose pathological changes in the veins and arteries. This survey method is considered one of the most informative. Color scanning allows you to detect a violation of local blood circulation, the appearance of blood clots, atherosclerotic plaques, the first signs of varicose veins. CDS is prescribed to patients with obvious symptoms of vascular diseases for a more detailed assessment of the general condition of the veins and arteries.

Video about CDS of blood vessels

How is duplex scanning of the veins of the lower extremities performed: