Contrast Agent-Free Assessment of Blood Flow and Wall Shear Stress in the Rabbit Aorta using Ultrasound Image Velocimetry

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.10.010
• Publication Date: 2021-12-05T21:45:12Z
• Authors: Kai Riemer; Ethan M. Rowland; Jacob Broughton-V...; Chee Hau Leow; Mengxing Tang; P.D. Weinberg
• Keywords: Mechanical index; Velocimetry; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Blood flow velocity and wall shear stress (WSS) influence are influenced by vascular disease. Their measurement is consequently useful in the laboratory clinic. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound image velocimetry (UIV) can estimate them accurately but need to inject contrast agents limits utility. Singular value decomposition high-frame-rate imaging may render dispensable. Here we determined whether agent-free UIV measure WSS. In simulation, accurate measurements were achieved with a signal-to-noise ratio of 13.5 dB or higher. Signal intensity rabbit aorta increased monotonically mechanical index; it was lowest during stagnant uneven across vessel. vivo contrast-free contrast-enhanced differed 4.4% 1.9% for magnitude angle 9.47% Bland-Altman analysis waveforms revealed good agreement between UIV. five rabbits, root-mean-square errors as low 0.022 m/s (0.81%) 0.11 Pa (1.7%). This study indicates that an optimised protocol, assess WSS without agents. Unlike UIV, could be routinely employed.