What is an arterial duplex ultrasound?
A Doppler ultrasound of the arteries in your legs. Duplex means two things are measured at once. The picture of the artery wall, and the speed and pattern of the blood flowing through it. Together they show whether an artery is narrowed or blocked, where, and how badly.
What can an arterial duplex of the legs detect?
Narrowing or blockage of the leg arteries, the severity of peripheral arterial disease, reduced blood flow that explains pain, cramps or cold feet, aneurysms in the leg arteries, and whether a bypass graft or stent is staying open.
What are the symptoms of poor circulation in the legs?
The common ones are
- Cramping pain in the calf, thigh or buttock when walking, eased by rest
- Cold, pale or bluish feet
- Numbness, pins and needles or weakness in the legs
- Sores or ulcers on the feet or legs that are slow to heal
- Hair loss on the lower legs and shiny skin
Pain at rest, especially at night, or a black or very painful toe need urgent assessment.
What is intermittent claudication?
Pain in the leg muscles that comes on reliably after walking a certain distance and goes away with a few minutes of rest. It happens because a narrowed artery cannot supply enough blood to the working muscle. It is the most common symptom of peripheral arterial disease, and an arterial duplex shows the narrowing responsible.
Is an arterial duplex the same as a DVT scan?
No. A DVT scan looks at the veins, which carry blood back to the heart, for a clot. An arterial duplex looks at the arteries, which carry blood to the leg, for narrowing. The symptoms differ too. A DVT causes a swollen, warm leg, while arterial disease causes pain on walking and cold feet. If you are unsure which you need, call us and a clinician will advise.
Does an arterial duplex hurt?
No. The probe rests on the skin with warm gel and is moved gently along the leg. There are no needles, no contrast and no radiation.
How long does the scan take?
About thirty minutes for both legs, including the Doppler measurements at each level. With time to explain the result, allow around forty five minutes.
Do I need to prepare?
No fasting. Wear loose trousers or bring shorts, and avoid smoking and caffeine for a couple of hours beforehand if you can, as both narrow the arteries and can affect the readings.
What is an ABPI test and do I need one?
The ankle brachial pressure index compares the blood pressure at your ankle with the pressure in your arm. It is a quick screening test for arterial disease and is often done by GPs and podiatrists. An arterial duplex goes further, showing exactly where and how severe any narrowing is.
What happens if a blockage is found?
Your specialist explains where it is and what it means. Mild narrowing is usually managed with supervised walking exercise, stopping smoking and medication such as statins and antiplatelets through your GP. A significant blockage, pain at rest or a non-healing sore comes with a referral recommendation to a vascular surgeon to discuss angioplasty, a stent or bypass, with your report and images in hand.
Can an arterial duplex check a bypass graft or stent?
Yes. Ultrasound is the standard way to monitor a graft or stent, checking that it is staying open and catching any re-narrowing early. It can be repeated as often as your vascular surgeon recommends.
What do arterial duplex results mean?
Each artery segment is reported as normal, narrowed by a percentage range, or blocked, based on the speed and pattern of blood flow measured there. Your specialist explains which level of the leg is affected and how that matches your symptoms, and the report sets it out in simple terms for your GP or surgeon.
How much does an arterial duplex of the legs cost?
At Harley Street Ultrasound a private arterial duplex ultrasound of both legs costs £350, all fees inclusive. The Doppler scan, the specialist’s time, your written report and images. Same-day and next-day appointments are usually available and no GP referral is needed.
What if you find something?
Your specialist tells you in the room, in plain English, and explains exactly what it means. You will never be sent home to wait for a letter. Most findings are benign and need nothing more than a sensible review date.
Anything that does need attention gets a clear, objective recommendation in your report: monitor, test further, or refer. Follow-up tests can usually be arranged at 99 Harley Street, often the same week, and those results are also explained to you personally.
Do I need a referral?
No. Harley Street Ultrasound is a private clinic, so you can book an arterial duplex ultrasound in London directly online or by phone. No GP letter, no waiting list, and same-day or next-day appointments are usually available. If you are searching for an arterial duplex ultrasound near me from anywhere in central London, we are at 99 Harley Street, a short walk from Regent’s Park and Oxford Circus stations.
If you are wondering how much a private arterial duplex ultrasound costs, the answer is published before you book: £350, all fees inclusive: the examination, the specialist’s time, your written report and your images. Insured patients should bring a referral or authorisation number if their policy requires one.
How soon will I have the written report?
Usually the same day: a Harley Street arterial duplex ultrasound comes with same-day results as standard, and you will already know the findings, because they are explained to you on screen during the appointment.
The written report is prepared by the specialist team and published to your secure patient portal together with your images, with measurements and a clear recommendation, ready to share with your GP or specialist.
What happens after the scan?
Nothing special: there is no aftercare needed. You can eat, drive and go back to work straight away. Diagnostic ultrasound at these intensities has no confirmed adverse effects, which is why it can be repeated safely for monitoring. If your results suggest a next step, your specialist explains it before you leave.
Can I still use the NHS afterwards?
Yes: completely. Coming to us privately never affects your NHS care. Our job is to get you answers quickly; if anything needs urgent attention, your specialist writes to your NHS GP recommending an urgent appointment, so you re-enter the NHS pathway with a diagnosis already in hand rather than joining the queue from the start.
