What does 'external compression' refer to in vascular testing?

'External compression' in the context of vascular testing refers to the pressure applied to a vein or artery from the outside of the body. This can occur in various situations, such as when a healthcare provider manually compresses a vessel to assess blood flow or to evaluate for conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This external pressure can help assess the patency and functionality of the vascular system by observing how the blood flow is affected when compression is applied.

For example, in ultrasound testing, external compression may be used during Doppler evaluations to determine the presence of blood flow in veins or arteries. This technique can reveal how veins react under pressure, which is crucial for diagnosing vascular disorders.

Understanding this concept is important for interpreting the results of vascular tests and recognizing how external forces can influence vascular function and blood flow patterns.