title: Continuous-wave versus range-gated pulsed Doppler power frequency spectrum analysis in the detection of carotid arterial occlusive disease.
abstract: Two types of ultrasonic Doppler velocity metering devices currently used in the detection of extracranial carotid artery disease, the continuous-wave (CW) and the range-gated pulsed (RP) Doppler systems, were compared in the present study. Power frequency spectrum analysis (PFSA) was performed on 130 carotid arterial bifurcations with a CW Doppler and 81 carotid arteries with an RP Doppler system. All results were compared with angiographic findings. The frequency bandwidth at 50% peak power (f50%), a quantitative index for defining spectral broadening, detected stenoses equal to or greater than 50% diameter reduction with 93% sensitivity, 92% specificity, and 92% accuracy with the CW system. With the RP Doppler, the same degree of stenosis was identified with 94% sensitivity, 93% specificity, and 93% accuracy. Compared with angiographic classification into 0-24%, 25-49%, and 50-99% diameter reduction categories, CW Doppler PFSA and an 85% overall accuracy, and the RP Doppler overall accuracy was 86%. CW Doppler also correctly identified 15 of 16 internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusions; 8 of 8 ICA occlusions were correctly identified with the RP Doppler. Thus, both techniques detected carotid artery disease with comparable results. For research and ease of operation, an RP Doppler system with a variable sampling volume appears to be most desirable. However, a standard CW system is superior if utility and cost-effectiveness are of prime importance.
mesh_terms: D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*