Étude de la circulation artérielle périphérique par échographie-doppler conventionnelle : faisabilité et reproductibilité

Abstract

Ultrasonography Doppler in the assessment of arterial peripheral circulation. Purpose. – The ultrasonography-Doppler study of peripheral arterial circulation requires measurements of arterial area and arterial blood flow. The aim of this study was to assess their variabilities, intra- and interobserver. Methods. – We studied brachial arterial circulation of 13 volunteers. Two experimented investigators carried out the examinations. Arterial blood pressure measurements were obtained at the level of the brachial artery of the left arm by means of a semi automated oscillometric device. The brachial artery was approached by ultrasound scan in semi-decubitus position, the arm in exterior rotation and abduction. Brachial artery cross-sectional areas were obtained by a transversal view with a depth of 4–15-cm upstream the antecubital fossa of the forearm. Cross sectional areas were measured at end diastole (SD) and end systole (SS). We measured maximal systolic and diastolic velocities (Vmax and Vmin), mean velocity (Vmoy) and velocity integral (ITV) of the blood flow. We deduced brachial output (D), resistance and pulsatility index (IR, IP), cross-sectional compliance coefficient (C). Results. – Intra- and interoperator variability as assessed by the Bland–Altman approach was acceptable SS, SD, ITV, D, Vmax , Vmoy, Vmin C, IR, and IP, in regard with values of variation coefficient, biais, and concordance limits. Conclusion. – Conventional B-mode ultrasonography may offer a reliable method for arterial peripheral circulation evaluation.