A computer analysis of high frequency disturbances in arterial blood flow

✍ Scribed by N.M. McEvoy; R.L. Pimmel; R.M. Nerem

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1976
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 783 KB
• Volume: 9
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0010-4809
• DOI: 10.1016/0010-4809(76)90052-5

✦ Synopsis

High frequency velocity disturbances have been observed in arterial blood flow. In their most developed form, such disturbances may manifest themselves as turbulence, a condition which can be recognized by its characteristic frequency spectrum. As part of a study of such disturbances, flow signals obtained with a hot-film anemometer system were recorded in anesthetized dogs with various pharmacological interventions and in an unanesthetized horse. These signals were processed on a digital computer to derive a mean square disturbance signal for a cardiac cycle, to accomplish Fourier analysis on data from small time intervals within that cycle, and to cross-correlate disturbance signals observed at two separate vascular sites. Experiments indicate that under the effects of ephedrine sulfate, there is a definite increase in the high frequency content during systole that is suggestive of the presence of turbulence. The technique will prove valuable as a tool for further study of flow disturbances.