VOLUMETRIC EVALUATION OF BLOOD-FLOW IN NORMAL RENAL-ARTERIES WITH A DOPPLER FLOW WIRE - A FEASIBILITY STUDY

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of direct intravascular determina tion of renal artery (RA) blood flow with a Doppler probe-tipped guide wire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Potential renal donors (n = 10) with nor mal RAs (n = 23) underwent evaluation of RA blood flow velocity with u se of a 0.018-inch, 12-MHz Doppler guide wire, The RA average peak vel ocity (APV) was obtained with the flow wire, RA diameter was obtained from the filmed images with magnification corrected to a known standar d or by a computerized quantification program, These data were used to determine the vessel's cross-sectional area (CSA). RESULTS: The right and left RA APV, CSA, and blood flow differed insignificantly within the group and averaged 9.7 and 9.0 cm/sec (P = .43), 0.417 and 0.357 c m(2) (P = .22), and 382 and 370 mL/min (P = .43), respectively, Howeve r, in individuals, the RA CSA and total volumetric blood flow varied b y a mean of 29% (range, 4%-56%) and 50% (range, 19%-128%), respectivel y. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that direct intravascular deter mination of RA blood flow with a Doppler-tipped wire is both feasible and relatively uncomplicated, Results indicate that blood flow can var y significantly, both in kidneys within the same individual and from p erson to person, The Doppler wire may facilitate measurements of RA bl ood flow during endoluminal interventions and help determine an optima l endpoint for these procedures.