Variability of Doppler ultrasound measurements of hindlimb blood flow in conscious horses.
Abstract: Ultrasonography of the left and right femoral artery and vein was performed in 5 conscious horses. Velocity waveforms, recorded using low pulse repetition frequency, were used to calculate time-averaged mean velocity (TAV), velocity of component a (TaVa), velocity of component b (TaVb) and volumetric flow. Waveform analysis included calculation of early diastolic deceleration slope (EDDS) and pulsatility index (PI) and subjective description of the waveform. Measurements were recorded at monthly intervals for 6 months. The repeated measurements were used to determine the within-horse variation. Horses were then anaesthetised with halothane and the same measurements recorded 60 min after induction. Differences between measurements recorded in conscious and anaesthetised horses were determined. Within-horse variability for diameters of femoral arteries and veins was small (CV11%), with within-horse variability being the largest for femoral venous flow (CV>35%). Source of variability was measurement error and biological variation. Despite variability in conscious horses it was possible to detect changes in blood flow during anaesthesia. In the femoral arteries, volumetric flow was lower and EDDS and PI was higher in anaesthetised horses. In the femoral veins, volumetric flow was also lower in anaesthetised horses. Therefore Doppler ultrasound appears to be a useful technique for studying blood flow in conscious and anaesthetised horses.
Publication Date: 2000-04-01 PubMed ID: 10743968DOI: 10.2746/042516400777591561Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research study investigates the variability of Doppler ultrasound measurements in monitoring blood flow in horses’ hind legs, under varying conditions of consciousness and anaesthesia. The study discovered considerable variability in measurements but determined that Doppler ultrasound can help detect changes in blood flow during anaesthesia.
Methodology
- The study was performed on five horses. Ultrasonography was used to assess the left and right femoral artery and vein of each horse.
- Velocity waveforms, captured using low pulse repetition frequency, were utilized for calculating various parameters like time-averaged mean velocity (TAV), velocity of component a (TaVa), velocity of component b (TaVb) and volumetric flow.
- Furthermore, waveform analysis was used for calculating additional parameters such as early diastolic deceleration slope (EDDS) and pulsatility index (PI).
- All these measurements were taken at monthly intervals over a period of 6 months to determine the variability within a horse.
- At the end of this period, horses were anaesthetized, and the same measurements were recorded 60 minutes after the induction of anaesthesia. The differences between measurements in conscious and anaesthetized horses were then analyzed.
Findings
- The variation for diameters of femoral arteries and veins within a horse was found to be quite small (Coefficient of Variation (CV) less than 10%). However, for all other measurements, the variation was quite significant (CV greater than 11%).
- The greatest variability was found for femoral venous flow (CV greater than 35%). These variances can be attributed to measurement error and biological variation within the horses.
- Interestingly, despite this variability, changes in blood flow during anaesthesia were detectable. Post anaesthesia, the volumetric flow in femoral arteries and veins was lower. Additionally, the early deceleration slope (EDDS) and pulsatility index (PI) were higher in anesthetized horses compared to their conscious states.
Conclusion
- Despite the observed variability in measurements, Doppler ultrasound was deemed useful for studying blood flow in horses, regardless of their state of consciousness or anaesthesia.
- This implies that Doppler ultrasound can be a reliable tool for veterinarians to monitor and address circulatory issues in horses during surgical procedures requiring anaesthesia.
Cite This Article
APA
Raisis AL, Young LE, Meire HB, Taylor PM, Walsh K, Lekeux P.
(2000).
Variability of Doppler ultrasound measurements of hindlimb blood flow in conscious horses.
Equine Vet J, 32(2), 125-132.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516400777591561 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- The Centre for Equine Studies, The Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Femoral Artery / diagnostic imaging
- Femoral Vein / diagnostic imaging
- Femur / blood supply
- Hindlimb / blood supply
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Regional Blood Flow
- Ultrasonics
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Müller H, Heinrich M, Mielenz N, Reese S, Steiner A, Starke A. Evaluation of arterial digital blood flow using Doppler ultrasonography in healthy dairy cows. BMC Vet Res 2017 Jun 6;13(1):162.
- Sprícigo CVM, Spricigo JFW, Costa DV, Oliveira IM, da Silva WPR, da Silva CCL, Costa APA, Borges NC. B-mode and Doppler ultrasound in the gastrointestinal evaluation of cats. Open Vet J 2025;15(8):3428-3438.
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