Quantitative transcutaneous arterial velocity measurements with Doppler flowmeters
P. M. Shoor, A. Fronek and E. F. Bernstein
A controlled in vitro and in vivo comparative evaluation of four Doppler
ultrasonic blood velocimeters was performed to evaluate their ability to
measure fluid velocity throughout a wide range of flow rates and velocity
profiles, during both steady and pulsatile flow. The instruments tested
were the Versatone Bidirectional Doppler M-9, the Sonicaid BV380, the Parks
806 B, and the Delalande DUD 400. All instruments responded linearly to
velocities of from 5 to 70 cm/s, and were accurate to within 5% through a
wide range of in vitro changes in velocity, pulse frequency, and
cross-sectional velocity profile. Quantitative velocity measurements and
their derivatives are an inexpensive, simple, and useful tool in the
evaluation conditions of patients with peripheral vascular disease, and
widespread clinical trials of their value are appropriate at this time.
