[Quantitative measure of the output of the deep abdominal vessels with a new device Duplex. Preliminary results]

Deep abdominal vessels blood flow can be measured noninvasively with the relation Q = V x A, where Q = flow, V = blood velocity and A = area of the considered vessel. In most Duplex devices, V is only calculated as a mean by the Doppler effect and A estimated by an echograph. Our newly developed multi-gated pulsed Doppler provides the velocity profile across the vessel, so minimizing errors in flow determination. On fifty healthy volunteers, we found flow of 717 +/- 238 ml/min for the portal vein, 1594 +/- 293 ml/min for the upper abdominal aorta and 794 +/- 168 ml/min for the lower aorta. These results are obtained through many technical and practical problems, but are feasible, even if still subject to errors. Further investigation will determine if the technique is also suitable for patients. Better assessment of deep abdominal vessels hemodynamics may be expected.