Comparison of Doppler ultrasound velocity measurements with pressure differences across bioprosthetic valves in a pulsatile flow model

Abstract

Continuous wave Doppler ultrasound was used in vitro to assess the pressure differences across four different cardiac bioprosthetic valves in a pulsatile flow test apparatus. Valves were tested under four different flow conditions. Pressure differences were calculated from the maximum flow velocity measured by Doppler ultrasound and correlated well with the pressure differences measured directly in the flow model (r = 0.98). Thus Doppler ultrasound can accurately measure pressure differences across bioprosthetic valves in vitro.