Measurement of Hemodynamics in Atherogenic Swine Using Ultrasound

Abstract

Local blood velocity patterns in the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries of conscious miniature swine were studied with a pulsed ultrasonic Doppler velocity meter (PUDVM). An arteriovenous shunt between the right iliac artery and vein was surgically produced in Group 1. Grout) I was subsequently fed a 2% cholestrol based atherogenic diet for a period of 6 months. Group II was also fed the diet but had no AV shunt, and Group III received a normal diet and had no AV shunt. The swine with the AV shunt developed significantly less atherogenic plaques throughout the arterial system compared with Group II. Group I had a markedly higher blood flow in the abdominal aorta and shunted vessels in comparison to similar vessels for Groups II and III. Coincident with the higher blood flow in Group I. was a higher mean shear stress at the walls of the abdominal aorta and iliac (shunt).