Reproducibility of Doppler ultrasound measurements.
OBJECTIVE
The reproducibility of Doppler ultrasound measurements was studied in a group of radiologists with different experience of such measurements.


METHODS
The 12 participating radiologists measured peak systolic velocity (PSV), resistance index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) from 3 arteries and PSV alone in one artery of a healthy person under standardized circumstances. Each participant repeated the measurements 10 times.


RESULTS
Significant (p < 0.005) interobserver variation was seen in all of the variables, with an up to 14-fold difference in the PSV values measured and most variation resulting from differences between observers. The reproducibility of RI was better, most variation being within observers. Experience improved the reproducibility of the Doppler US measurements. Significant difference (p < 0.05) in Doppler US measurements was seen between the 3 experience groups. The difference was marked between the highly experienced and the medium experienced group when the variances of the measured values of PSV, RI, and PI from all 4 arteries were combined.


CONCLUSIONS
The reproducibility of Doppler ultrasound measurements is poor. The value of the method is questionable.
Mikkonen
R H
RH
Department of Radiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Kreula
J M
JM
Virkkunen
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001916:Brachial Artery; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014655:Vascular Resistance