In vivo recording of blood velocity profiles and studies in vitro of profile alterations induced by known stenoses.

Recordings of blood velocity profiles and their behavior in the time domain in some peripheral human vessels (carotid arteries and limb vessels) are reported. Measurements have been obtained with a pulsed ultrasonic instrument based on the analysis of the cross-correlation function of blood-diffused echoes. The alterations of blood velocity profiles and of the velocity in the time domain, induced by known stenosis, have been studied in vitro as a function of the distance between stenosis and measuring point, and the position of the sample volume along the diameter. These studies may be useful for a better comprehension of blood velocity measurements made with ultrasound equipment for clinical noninvasive diagnostic purposes.