Telemetry of arterial flow in man with a Doppler ultrasonic flowmeter

Abstract

1. 1. Transcutaneous measurements of brachial artery flow velocity with the Doppler ultrasonic flowmeter were made in 82 subjects, of whom 24 were normal and 58 had heart disease. 2. 2. Aortic stenosis was associated with low peak flow velocity, prolonged ascending limb of the primary wave and decreased retrograde wave. Aortic insufficiency was recognized by the presence of a large secondary wave thought to represent retrograde flow. Subaortic stenosis altered the flow waveform in a characteristic manner. 3. 3. The technic was also found to be useful in the study of cardiac arrhythmias, Valsalva maneuvers and in the study of drugs with primary effect on the peripheral circulation. 4. 4. Although more experience is needed with its use in man, it appears that it may become a useful technic for monitoring patients in intensive care units.