DVT Deep Vein Thrombosis Extremity Ultrasound Quick Reference Guide for Physicians
Deep Venous Extremity Ultrasound with Doppler Imaging
Ordering Information:
The most common reason for a venous ultrasound exam is to search for blood clots, especially in the veins of the leg. This condition is often referred to as deep vein thrombosis or DVT. These clots may break off and pass into the lungs, where they can cause a dangerous condition called pulmonary embolism. If the blood clot in the leg is found early enough, treatment can be started to prevent it from passing to the lung. A venous ultrasound study is also performed to:
- Find blockages to blood flow (such as clots)
- Determine the cause of long-standing leg swelling. In people with a common condition called varicose veins, the valves that keep blood flowing back to the heart in the right direction may be damaged, and venous ultrasound can help the radiologist decide how best to deal with this condition.
- Map out the veins in the leg or arm so that pieces of vein may be removed and used to bypass a narrowed or blocked blood vessel. An example is using pieces of vein from the leg to surgically bypass narrowed heart (coronary) arteries.
- Examine a blood vessel graft used for dialysis if it is not working as expected; for example, the graft may be narrowed or blocked.
Indications
Diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pain, swelling, edema, postpartum or postsurgical
CPT Code
Please identify Arm or Leg and R/L or Bilateral.
93970 Bilateral
93971 Unilateral
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