Home > Encyclopedia of Medicine > Impedance Phlebography

Definition

Impedance phlebography is a noninvasive test that uses electrical monitoring to measure blood flow in veins of the leg. Information from this test helps a doctor to detect deep vein thrombosis (blood clots or thrombophlebitis).

Purpose

Impedance phlebography may be done in order to:

• detect blood clots lodged in the deep veins of the leg
• screen patients who are likely to have blood clots in the leg
• detect the source of blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary emboli)

Blood clots in the legs can lead to more serious problems. If a clot breaks loose from a leg vein, it may travel to the lungs and lodge in a blood vessel in the lungs. Blood clots are more likely to occur in people who have recently had leg injuries,...