Leg circulation assessment • Doppler + ABPI

Peripheral arterial Doppler ultrasound + ABPI

A combined one-leg circulation assessment using arterial duplex ultrasound and Ankle Brachial Pressure Index measurements to investigate leg pain on walking, cold feet, weak pulses, slow-healing wounds and suspected peripheral arterial disease.

Book Doppler + ABPI — £299 Call 020 7101 3377
  • One-limb arterial Doppler
  • ABPI pressure measurement
  • No GP referral required
Vascular Doppler ultrasound examination of the lower limb
£299One limb
Doppler + ABPICombined circulation assessment
30–40 minTypical appointment
No preparationNo fasting or full bladder
0 radiationNon-invasive assessment

What is a Peripheral Arterial Doppler + ABPI scan?

This combined test assesses how blood reaches one leg and foot. Arterial Doppler ultrasound visualises the major arteries and analyses blood-flow waveforms, while ABPI compares systolic blood pressure measured at the ankle with the highest arm pressure. NICE recommends ABPI as part of the clinical assessment of suspected peripheral arterial disease, alongside symptoms, examination and pulse assessment.

Two complementary assessments

Why combine arterial ultrasound with ABPI?

Each test answers a different clinical question. Together they provide pressure information plus detailed real-time arterial imaging.

01

ABPI pressure index

Compares ankle systolic pressure with arm pressure to support assessment of lower-limb arterial circulation.

02

Arterial anatomy

Ultrasound demonstrates the visible arterial lumen, wall, plaque and areas of suspected narrowing or occlusion.

03

Doppler waveforms

Spectral Doppler shows flow direction, waveform shape and haemodynamic changes along the leg arteries.

04

Flow velocities

Velocity measurements can help identify segments where stenosis or altered blood flow is suspected.

05

PAD assessment

The combined findings support evaluation for peripheral arterial disease in the context of symptoms and risk factors.

06

Onward planning

The report can support GP, vascular specialist or further-imaging decisions when circulation is abnormal.

Who may benefit

Symptoms and risk factors for reduced leg circulation

Peripheral arterial disease may cause exertional symptoms, foot circulation problems or slow healing, but it can also be present before symptoms become obvious.

Leg pain when walking

Calf, thigh or buttock cramping that appears with activity and improves after resting may represent intermittent claudication.

Cold feet

Persistent coolness or a noticeable temperature difference between feet may justify circulation assessment.

Weak or reduced pulses

A clinician may request Doppler and ABPI when foot or leg pulses are difficult to feel.

Colour change

Pallor, dusky discolouration or other persistent changes can occur when arterial supply is impaired.

Slow-healing wounds

Foot or lower-leg wounds that heal poorly may require arterial assessment before treatment decisions are made.

Diabetes

Diabetes increases PAD risk, but normal or high ABPI values alone do not safely exclude PAD in people with diabetes.

Smoking history

Current and previous smoking are important risk factors for atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease.

High cholesterol or blood pressure

Cardiovascular risk factors can increase the likelihood of lower-limb arterial disease.

What we assess

One-limb arterial Doppler ultrasound coverage

The precise protocol depends on symptoms and anatomy, with major arteries assessed from the groin towards the foot where technically possible.

01

Common femoral artery

Assesses inflow at the groin and provides an important proximal waveform for the symptomatic leg.

02

Femoral arterial system

Reviews the major thigh arteries for plaque, stenosis, occlusion and altered Doppler flow.

03

Popliteal artery

Assesses arterial flow behind the knee and identifies relevant focal disease where visible.

04

Anterior tibial artery

Assesses distal flow towards the dorsalis pedis circulation when technically accessible.

05

Posterior tibial artery

Evaluates distal arterial flow and supports the ankle-pressure component of the examination.

06

Peroneal artery

Assessed where visible and clinically appropriate as part of the calf arterial circulation.

07

Dorsalis pedis flow

Pedal circulation may be assessed as part of distal arterial and ABPI evaluation.

08

Ankle pressures

Systolic pressure is measured at appropriate ankle arteries using a cuff and Doppler signal.

09

Arm pressures

Brachial systolic pressure is measured so the ankle-to-arm pressure index can be calculated.

NICE technique: ABPI is measured with the patient resting and supine where possible. Systolic pressures are recorded in both arms and at the ankle arteries, and the index for each leg is calculated using the highest ankle pressure divided by the highest arm pressure. Clinical interpretation must take symptoms and Doppler findings into account.

Before your appointment

How to prepare for your Doppler + ABPI scan

No fasting, full bladder or special dietary preparation is normally required.

01

Wear loose clothing

The selected leg needs to be accessible from the groin to the foot, and both upper arms may need to be exposed for blood-pressure measurements.

02

Bring previous results

Bring prior ABPI values, arterial Doppler reports, CT/MR angiography or vascular clinic letters if available.

03

Bring medication details

Tell the practitioner about antiplatelets, anticoagulants, blood-pressure medication, statins and diabetes treatment.

04

Describe walking symptoms

Be ready to explain where pain occurs, how far you can walk before it starts and how quickly it resolves after resting.

Try to arrive settled rather than immediately after strenuous exercise. The practitioner will allow appropriate rest before pressure measurements when necessary.

Your appointment

What happens during the assessment?

The appointment combines pressure measurements with a detailed ultrasound assessment of one leg.

  1. 1

    Clinical history

    Your practitioner reviews leg symptoms, walking tolerance, foot problems, previous vascular history and cardiovascular risk factors.

  2. 2

    ABPI measurements

    Blood-pressure cuffs are used at the arms and ankle, together with a Doppler probe, to record systolic pressures and calculate the pressure index.

  3. 3

    Arterial duplex ultrasound

    Greyscale, colour and spectral Doppler ultrasound assess the major leg arteries for plaque, stenosis, occlusion and altered flow patterns.

  4. 4

    Results and report

    The main findings are explained after the assessment, with a written report and recommendations for GP, vascular or further-imaging review where indicated.

Interpretation matters

ABPI is useful, but it is not interpreted in isolation

Pressure measurements are most useful when combined with the clinical history, pulse examination and arterial Doppler findings.

  • A low ankle pressure relative to arm pressure increases suspicion of peripheral arterial disease.
  • A normal ABPI does not exclude every arterial problem.
  • Calcified, poorly compressible arteries can produce artificially high ankle pressures.
  • NICE advises not to exclude PAD in people with diabetes from a normal or raised ABPI alone.
  • Toe pressures, exercise testing, CT angiography, MR angiography or vascular review may be recommended in selected cases.
Pressure + anatomical assessment

ABPI quantifies the ankle-to-arm pressure relationship, while arterial duplex shows where and how blood is flowing through the leg arteries.

Urgent symptoms

When not to wait for a routine vascular scan

Sudden loss of arterial blood supply can threaten the limb and needs emergency medical assessment.

Sudden severe leg or foot pain

Seek emergency assessment for abrupt severe pain, especially when the foot becomes cold, pale, blue or markedly different from the other side.

New numbness or weakness

Sudden loss of sensation or movement in a painful, cold limb may indicate acute limb ischaemia and requires immediate medical attention.

Blackened tissue or rapidly worsening wound

Gangrene, spreading tissue damage or a rapidly deteriorating foot wound requires prompt specialist or emergency assessment.

New unilateral swelling

A mainly arterial Doppler + ABPI scan is not a substitute for a DVT scan. New unexplained one-sided swelling, warmth or tenderness may require urgent venous duplex assessment.

Why PrivateSono

Detailed leg circulation assessment in one appointment

This combined service brings together anatomical arterial imaging, real-time Doppler waveforms and ABPI pressure measurement to provide a clearer assessment of one-sided circulation symptoms.

Book one limb — £299
✓

Combined assessment

Arterial duplex ultrasound and ABPI pressure testing in one visit.

✓

One symptomatic limb

Focused assessment for clearly one-sided circulation symptoms.

✓

No GP referral

Self-referral is normally available.

✓

Vascular Doppler

Real-time colour and spectral Doppler assessment with no ionising radiation.

✓

Written report

Formal findings can support onward GP or vascular specialist review.

✓

Two clinic locations

Appointments in Central London and St Albans.

Clinic locations

Peripheral arterial Doppler + ABPI in London and St Albans

Choose your preferred clinic and an available appointment using the booking section below.

Central London

27 Welbeck Street

London, W1G 8EN — close to Harley Street, Marylebone, Mayfair and Fitzrovia.

Book Central London

St Albans

54–56 Victoria Street

St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3HZ — convenient for Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.

Book St Albans

Patient questions

Peripheral arterial Doppler + ABPI FAQs

Answers about PAD, ABPI, arterial ultrasound, preparation, diabetes, pricing and scan limitations.

Need help choosing a vascular scan? Call 020 7101 3377
What is a Peripheral Arterial Doppler Ultrasound + ABPI scan?

It is a combined circulation assessment of one leg. Arterial Doppler ultrasound evaluates the major leg arteries, blood-flow direction and waveform patterns, while the Ankle Brachial Pressure Index compares systolic pressure at the ankle with pressure in the arm to support assessment for peripheral arterial disease.

What does ABPI stand for?

ABPI stands for Ankle Brachial Pressure Index. It is calculated from ankle and arm systolic blood-pressure measurements and is interpreted together with symptoms, pulse examination and Doppler findings.

Why combine arterial Doppler ultrasound with ABPI?

ABPI provides a pressure-based measure of lower-limb circulation, while Doppler ultrasound shows the anatomy and blood-flow pattern within individual arteries. Combining both can provide a more complete assessment than either test alone when peripheral arterial disease is suspected.

What symptoms can this scan investigate?

The examination may be useful for calf, thigh or buttock pain when walking, cold feet, reduced pulses, colour change, numbness, slow-healing wounds, suspected poor circulation or known peripheral arterial disease requiring follow-up.

Which arteries are assessed?

The one-limb arterial Doppler examination commonly assesses the femoral, popliteal, tibial and pedal arterial circulation where technically accessible and clinically appropriate, using greyscale, colour and spectral Doppler.

Can a normal ABPI completely rule out peripheral arterial disease?

No. ABPI must be interpreted in clinical context. NICE specifically advises that peripheral arterial disease should not be excluded in people with diabetes on the basis of a normal or raised ABPI alone, because arterial calcification can make ankle pressures misleadingly high.

Do I need a GP referral?

No GP referral is normally required for PrivateSono self-referral. Bring details of symptoms, cardiovascular risk factors, medication and any previous vascular imaging or ABPI results where available.

How should I prepare for the appointment?

No fasting or full bladder is normally required. Wear loose clothing that allows access to the groin, thigh, calf, ankle and upper arms. Avoid restrictive garments around the limb and bring previous vascular reports if available.

How long does the scan take?

A one-limb Peripheral Arterial Doppler Ultrasound + ABPI assessment commonly takes around 30 to 40 minutes, although examination time varies with anatomy, mobility and the complexity of the findings.

How much does the one-limb Arterial Doppler + ABPI scan cost?

PrivateSono currently lists the Peripheral Arterial Doppler Ultrasound + ABPI assessment for one limb at £299. Use the booking widget to view current appointment availability and confirm the final fee.

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The current PrivateSono price for the one-limb combined assessment is £299. Select your preferred clinic and appointment below.

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Private arterial circulation assessment

Combine leg arterial Doppler ultrasound with ABPI pressure testing

One limb • £299 • Central London & St Albans • No GP referral normally required

Book Doppler + ABPI
Book Doppler + ABPI — £299
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