Validation of a third-generation Doppler system for studies of detailed aortic flow

A multigated, third-generation Doppler velocity system has been developed and validated for detailed studies of aortic hemodynamics. The Doppler system employs a single 3-mm, 5-MHz crystal applied to the aorta at a fixed angle with respect to the flow axis and is capable of measuring velocity profile, blood vessel diameter, and integrated volume flow on a continuous, real-time basis. This represents a major developmental advance over existing first-generation, continuous-wave and second-generation, single-gated pulsed Doppler systems. Validation studies have been performed in vitro and in dogs. Aortic diameter was measured simultaneously with the volumetric Doppler system and with sonomicrometer probes. During changes in aortic diameter between 8 and 18 mm (n = 18), produced by temporary pulmonary artery occlusion or epinephrine infusion, quantitative agreement between the Doppler and sonomicrometer probes was found (r = 0.96). Velocity profile measurements and axial velocity values made with the Doppler system compared favorably with hot-film anemometry studies in vitro and in vivo. Although the current system is nondirectional, measurements of phasic aortic volume flow and absolute-time-averaged changes in flow rates showed an excellent correlation with chronically placed electromagnetic flow probes over a broad range of flow rates in vivo (1-5 l/min, n = 36, r = 0.95). This third-generation Doppler system should prove useful in clinical and research studies of detailed aortic hemodynamics.