In power mode the amplitude (power) of color Doppler signals is displayed, regardless of the velocity. Power does not have negative values and is independent of sampling frequency. An aliasing artifact does not occur in power mode images. Caused by plotting the quantity enhanced by echo contrast agents in a power map, power mode is often used in contrast Doppler ultrasound examinations.
Also known as energy mode.

Spectral Doppler refers to the combination of either continuous wave Doppler or pulsed Doppler with a spectral display. Spectral Doppler provides a quantitative analysis of the velocity and direction of blood flow.
The Fourier spectrum analyzer performs a fast Fourier transformation on the Doppler signal. The amplitudes of the resulting spectra are encoded as brightness. In the 2D spectral display, the frequency shift is depicted in the vertical and the time in the horizontal axis. The range of blood velocities in the volume produces a corresponding range of frequency shifts.

See also Acceleration Index and Triplex Exam.

(CD) Color Doppler is an ultrasound imaging mode, which visualizes the presence, direction and velocity of flowing blood in a wide range of flow conditions. It provides an estimate of the mean velocity of flow within a vessel by color coding the flow and displaying it superimposed on the 2D gray scale image. The flow direction is arbitrarily assigned the color red or blue, indicating flow toward or away from the transducer.
Color (colour, Brit.) Doppler ultrasound is capable of evaluating a wider area than other Doppler modes than for example Duplex or power Doppler, and therefore makes it less likely to miss flow abnormalities. It is also easier to interpret. Color flow is not as precise as conventional Doppler and is best used to scan a larger area and then use conventional Doppler for detailed analysis at a site of potential flow abnormality.

Adjustments for color Doppler in case of too much color:
Adjustments for color Doppler in case of not enough color:
See also Color Power Doppler, Autocorrelation, Color Priority, Triplex Exam and Color Saturation.

(CAI) Color amplitude imaging shows the amplitude of the Doppler signal from moving blood flow. CAI is an ultrasound technique with increased dynamic range and flow sensitivity. The sensitivity of Doppler ultrasound increases markedly in conjunction with the use of vascular contrast agents.

See also Amplitude Map, Amplitude Indicator.

(CPD) CPD is a type of color Doppler to visualize the presence of detectable blood flow. The flow information is based on the amplitude or strength of echoes received from moving cells and not on frequency shifts. Power Doppler is very sensitive to flowing blood but does not provide velocity or directional information.
CPD is less angle dependent than traditional color Doppler, but more sensitive to motion artifacts. Color power angio (CPA) provides better sensitivity to slow flow states.
The color maps for CPD are represented by a single continuous color (colour, Brit.). Because CPD does not provide directional information, no aliasing artifact occurs.

See also Directional Color Power Doppler.