Preparation for your scan: For a leg scan you will be asked to remove pants, shoes and socks. For an arm scan you will be asked to remove your tops. You will be provided with a towel to cover up with and be asked to lie on an examination table with your arm or leg placed in a position for scanning: The arm will be extended and rolled out so that the sonographer may access the veins running from the top of your chest to your armpit and then down your arm. The leg will be bent at the knee and rolled out to the side so that the sonographer may access the veins running from your groin down into your leg. Starting the scan: The sonographer will place some non-allergenic ultrasound gel on your skin and then press firmly against you with an ultrasound transducer. Different probes are required for different purposes during the scan so don’t be alarmed when the sonographer selects a new piece of equipment. Ultrasound techniques commonly used: For both arm and leg DVT scans the sonographer will use a technique that displays colour on the screen. These colours represent the flow of blood in your veins and are a normal finding on the scan. In both arm and leg DVT scans the ultrasound machine will produce a ‘whooshing’ noise from the speakers on the machine. These noises are part of a measurement made by the sonographer that represents blood flow in your veins. For a leg DVT scan the sonographer will need to firmly press the transducer into your leg. These leg presses will be performed at several places along the length of the leg and are performed to ensure the veins collapse and aren’t being held open by a DVT. The sonographer may also need to squeeze your leg with their hands in order to demonstrate blood flow in your lower leg and knee veins. This can be very uncomfortable with painful swollen legs but it is a required part of the study and normal practice when investigating leg veins. What to do after the scan: After the examination is complete the sonographer will discuss the results with a radiologist before they are forwarded to your doctor. You will be notified of the next step in your care plan. Due to the nature of DVT the radiologist may want you to see a doctor as soon as possible after the scan. If you do not have an immediate follow up appointment to see you referring doctor, our clinic will make arrangements for you to be transferred to the emergency department where a doctor will be available to see you soon.

Investigating a DVT with Ultrasound: What to expect when going for a DVT scan Other names used by your doctor when referring for a DVT investigation: Duplex ultrasound Doppler ultrasound Ultrasound DVT Terms used in this brochure: DVT – short for Deep Vein Thrombosis, a condition where a blood clot forms inside your veins and causes pain and swelling of your arms or legs Ultrasound – a machine that uses sound waves to make medical images Transducer – an ultrasound probe, the device the sonographer holds against your skin to perform an ultrasound scan Sonographer – a technician that performs ultrasound scans Radiologist – a doctor that specialises in interpreting medical images For more information visit: Or call: Health direct Australia Heart Foundation Australia