Doppler frequency shift and time-domain velocity enhancement induced by an ultrasonographic contrast agent

The aim of this study was to evaluate in rabbit aorta the effect of three bolus doses of Levovist on velocity values measured with spectral Doppler sonography and with time-domain correlation method (color velocity imaging). At each step, a mean peak systolic velocity was calculated from five measurements. These measurements were taken before injection, at 20 s after, at every 30 s till the third minute, and at every minute until return to peak systolic velocity at baseline value. Total duration of enhancement was noted after each injection. After each injection, once the systolic velocity values return to baseline values, a 3 min delay was observed before the following intravenous contrast agent injection was done. With Doppler spectral analysis, after the first injection, peak systolic velocity enhancement was 15 +/- 8.4% (5 to 28%), with a 6.4 +/- 4.3 min duration. After the second injection, peak systolic velocity enhancement was 15.8 +/- 8.4% (5 to 28%) with an 8.8 +/- 4 min duration. After the third injection, it was 14 +/- 9.8% (5 to 34%) with a 13.6 +/- 7.6 min duration (P = 0.04). Peak systolic velocity measured with color velocity imaging remained unchanged after every injection. Doppler velocities were increased by a bolus injection of a contrast agent. Amplitude was not cumulative with the number of injections but was cumulative on its duration. Velocity measurement with time-domain correlation was not influenced by repeated injections.