Ultrasonography.  2016 Jan;35(1):69-77. 10.14366/usg.15056.

Factors influencing the renal arterial Doppler waveform: a simulation study using an electrical circuit model (secondary publication)

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Radiology, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2Department of Radiological Science, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea.
  • 3Department of Radiology, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kimsh@radcom.snu.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of vascular compliance, resistance, and pulse rate on the resistive index (RI) by using an electrical circuit model to simulate renal blood flow.
METHODS
In order to analyze the renal arterial Doppler waveform, we modeled the renal blood-flow circuit with an equivalent simple electrical circuit containing resistance, inductance, and capacitance. The relationships among the impedance, resistance, and compliance of the circuit were derived from well-known equations, including Kirchhoff's current law for alternating current circuits. Simulated velocity-time profiles for pulsatile flow were generated using Mathematica (Wolfram Research) and the influence of resistance, compliance, and pulse rate on waveforms and the RI was evaluated.
RESULTS
Resistance and compliance were found to alter the waveforms independently. The impedance of the circuit increased with increasing proximal compliance, proximal resistance, and distal resistance. The impedance decreased with increasing distal compliance. The RI of the circuit decreased with increasing proximal compliance and resistance. The RI increased with increasing distal compliance and resistance. No positive correlation between impedance and the RI was found. Pulse rate was found to be an extrinsic factor that also influenced the RI.
CONCLUSION
This simulation study using an electrical circuit model led to a better understanding of the renal arterial Doppler waveform and the RI, which may be useful for interpreting Doppler findings in various clinical settings.

Keyword

Renal artery; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Computer simulation

MeSH Terms

Compliance
Computer Simulation
Electric Impedance
Heart Rate
Jurisprudence
Pulsatile Flow
Renal Artery
Renal Circulation
Ultrasonography, Doppler
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