[Determination of normal values of the aortic blood flow profile using continuous Doppler echocardiography from apical and suprasternal echo position].

The present study was undertaken to measure normal aortic blood velocity profiles by means of continuous wave Doppler echocardiography from apical and suprasternal positions in 40 healthy adults. The profiles in the ascending aorta were measured from both positions, whereas the profiles in the descending aorta were measured only from the suprasternal position. The highest values for the maximal flow velocities were found in the ascending aorta from the suprasternal position (1.28 +/- 0.18 m/s), the lowest values for the maximal flow velocities were found in the descending aorta (1.17 +/- 0.22 m/s). This trend was also found for the mean velocity values. As to the time parameters, a longer acceleration time for the descending aorta was remarkable (106 +/- 24 ms), whereby the mean values for the ejection time for the descending aorta (308 +/- 25 ms, suprasternal: 320 +/- 30 ms). The highest values for the acceleration were found in the ascending aorta (suprasternal: 1526 +/- 531 cm/s2, apical: 1422 +/- 330 cm/s2) and the lowest values in the descending aorta (1208 +/- 378 cm/s2). Regarding the maximal velocity index there was no significant difference for the maximal values between the different transducer positions. The results of the regression analysis showed only a weak correlation of the maximal velocity values in the different transducer positions. This means that for follow-up examinations only those values should be used that were obtained from the same transducer position.