Experimental use of intraoperative pulse wave Doppler in the study of vascular microanastomosis

: Personal experience with pulse wave Doppler (PWD) at 20 MHz with real time signal spectral analysis in FFT (Fast Fourier Transform), for the valuation of the vascular microanastomosis patency degree is reported. Fifty-nine Sprague-Dawley rats have been studied after abdominal aorta dissection: in 19 (group A) an organic stenosis has been simulated varying from 5% to 95% by a 8/0 silk suture; in 40 rats (group B and C) we the abdominal aorta was stitched with interrupted suture after transversal section. In the group C (20 rats) a longitudinal arteriotomy on abdominal aorta within 10-15 min from anastomosis was performed to value under microscopic control the suture line. The PWD technique is able to recognize stenoses more than 10% of intraluminal diameter, showing a higher sensibility than traditional techniques.