DOPPLER ULTRASOUND SPECTRAL SHAPE DOWNSTREAM OF SIGNIFICANT ARTERIAL-STENOSIS IN-VIVO

Peak analysis was applied to pulsed Doppler ultrasound spectra from in vive poststenotic velocity fields of canine common carotid arteries, Turbulent spectra from a region of jet breakup, five diameters (5 D) d own from a 68% diameter reducing stenosis, were closely approximated b y a single Gaussian peak, Multiple peaks resulting from the analysis o f complex spectra from the shear layers between jet and recirculation zones, 1.5 D downstream of a 40% stenosis, correlated well with the kn own features of the poststenotic velocity field, It is concluded that peak analysis can be used to separate the spectral components of disti nct flow regimes from the complex spectra of regions of complicated fl ow, This may provide a method for the diagnosis of mild degrees of art erial stenosis using pulsed Doppler ultrasound.