• Fasting: No fasting or special dietary restrictions are required. You may eat, drink, and take your regular medications normally.
• Clothing: Wear loose, comfortable clothing. You will need to remove your trousers or dress, as the scan covers your entire lower limb from the groin crease down to the ankle. You will be provided with a medical gown or sheet for comfort.
• Hydration: Drinking plenty of water before your test can help fill your veins, making them easier to visualize.
• Avoid Creams: Try not to apply heavy lotions or cosmetic oils to your legs on the morning of the scan, as they can interfere with the ultrasound gel.

Your physician may order a bilateral venous Doppler to investigate specific symptoms or to monitor chronic circulatory issues in the legs:

Common reasons for this test include:

• Rule Out Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A DVT is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the leg. If a piece of the clot breaks free, it can travel to the lungs and cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. This scan is the gold standard for detecting these clots.
• Evaluate Varicose Veins & Venous Insufficiency: If the tiny valves inside your veins weaken, blood can flow backward and pool in your lower legs. This causes varicose veins, swelling, skin changes, or a heavy, aching feeling.
• Investigate Unexplained Leg Swelling (Edema): If one or both legs are persistently swollen, warm, or painful, this scan helps find the root cause.
• Pre-Surgical Mapping: If you are undergoing surgery for varicose veins or a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) that requires harvesting a leg vein, this scan maps out the healthiest vessels.