Doppler Techniques and Instrumentation

Sonography Fundamentals

Materials Included

Text
Video
Anatomy
Simulation
Quiz

Doppler techniques are used to monitor blood flow through the heart and major vessels.

Doppler techniques are used to monitor blood flow through the heart and major vessels. This module teaches you how to prepare for and perform spectral and color Doppler scans of the heart. The interactive simulator provides three scenarios that cover different situations you might encounter in the clinical environment. Online simulations enable students and practitioners to build or refresh knowledge and cognitive skills, and offer a safe practice environment so you can prepare for the real clinical world. Simulations also give you the opportunity to try out procedures that you might not otherwise experience. This module is ideal if you are studying for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) registry exams.

You’ll learn

to practice, perfect and test your skills in the use of spectral Doppler and color Doppler instrumentation
to identify and describe anatomy represented on spectral Doppler tracings
to use tissue Doppler and identify tissue Doppler wave forms
to better visualize and understand the anatomy and physiology of the heart and major vessels, with our 3D model and illustrations
to differentiate on color images the normal and abnormal sonographic appearances of the heart
to obtain measurements of various structures within the heart
much more (see “Content Details” for more specific information).

Introduction

Step 1 - Preparation

Step 1.1 - Equipment preparation

Step 1.2 - Patient preparation

Step 1.2.1 - Position the patient

Step 1.2.2 - Apply ECG electrodes

Step 1.3 - Operator preparation

Step 2 - Select the transducer and apply the gel

Step 3 - Obtain the left parasternal long axis view

Step 3.1 - Scan the mitral valve, using color

Step 3.2 - Scan the aortic valve, using color

Step 4 - Obtain the left parasternal short axis view

Step 4.1 - Scan the aortic valve, using color

Step 4.2 - Scan the tricuspid valve, using color

Step 4.3 - Scan the tricuspid valve, using pulsed wave Doppler

Step 4.4 - Scan the tricuspid valve, using continuous wave Doppler

Step 4.5 - Scan the pulmonary valve, using color

Step 4.6 - Scan the pulmonary valve, using pulsed wave Doppler

Step 4.7 - Scan the pulmonary artery, using continuous wave Doppler

Step 4.8 - Scan the right ventricular outflow tract, using pulsed wave Doppler

Step 4.9 - Scan the right ventricular outflow tract, using continuous wave Doppler

Step 5 - Obtain the apical four-chamber view

Step 5.1 - Scan the mitral valve, using color

Step 5.2 - Scan the mitral valve orifice, using pulsed wave Doppler

Step 5.3 - Scan the mitral valve, using continuous wave Doppler

Step 5.4 - Scan the tricuspid valve, using color

Step 5.5 - Scan the tricuspid valve orifice, using pulsed wave Doppler

Step 5.6 - Scan the tricuspid valve, using continuous wave Doppler

Step 5.7 - Scan the pulmonary vein, using pulsed wave Doppler

Step 5.8 - Perform tissue Doppler imaging of the septal annulus, using pulsed wave Doppler

Step 5.9 - Perform tissue Doppler imaging of the lateral annulus, using pulsed wave Doppler

Step 6 - Obtain the apical five-chamber view

Step 6.1 - Scan the left ventricular outflow tract, using color

Step 6.2 - Scan the left ventricular outflow tract, using pulsed wave Doppler

Step 6.3 - Scan the aortic valve, using color

Step 6.4 - Scan the aortic valve, using continuous wave Doppler

Step 7 - Obtain the subcostal view

Step 7.1 - Scan the inferior vena cava and hepatic veins, using color

Step 7.2 - Scan the abdominal aorta, using pulsed wave Doppler

Step 7.3 - Obtain a four-chamber view of the interatrial septum, using color

Step 8 - Obtain the suprasternal view

Step 8.1 - Scan the aorta long axis, using color

Step 8.2 - Scan the aorta long axis, using pulsed wave Doppler

Step 8.3 - Scan the aorta long axis, using continuous wave Doppler

Step 8.4 - Scan the main pulmonary artery, using color

Step 8.5 - Continuous wave Doppler of the ascending aorta, with Pedoff probe

Step 9 - Obtain the right parasternal long axis view

Step 9.1 - Scan the thoracic aorta, using continuous wave Doppler with Pedoff probe

Step 10 - Complete the procedure

Review normal cardiac anatomy.
Describe and demonstrate the use of spectral Doppler and color Doppler instrumentation.
Identify and describe anatomy represented on spectral Doppler tracings.
Differentiate between normal and abnormal anatomy represented on color images.
Describe and demonstrate tissue Doppler.
Describe and identify tissue Doppler wave forms.
Define and use related medical terminology.
Explain the Patient Privacy Rule (HIPAA) and Patient Safety Act.

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long