Cardiovascular Diseases Which Influence the Flow in the Extracardial Arteries

Abstract

Two major forms of cardiovascular malformations influence blood flow in the body arteries: Leakages of the aortic ‘Windkessel’ and left heart obstructions.

Leakages of the aortic ‘Windkessel’ are a persistent ductus arteriosus Botalli, aortopulmonary septum defect, truncus arteriosus communis, severe aortic regurgitation, aorto-cameral tunnel, and surgically created aorticopulmonary shunts. In dependency on the leakage of the aortic ‘Windkessel’ these malformations cause a more or less severe reduction of the diastolic amplitude and diastolic flow velocities. Doppler sonographic flow measurements in peripheral arteries with low peripheral resistance allow semi-quantitative estimation of the hemodynamic relevance of these malformations.

Left heart obstructions which influence peripheral circulation are severe aortic stenosis, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, coarctation of the aorta and interrupted aortic arch. Critical aortic stenosis and hypoplastic left heart syndrome cause a decrease of the flow velocities in all body arteries. The flow curve is damped and the peak systolic flow velocities are decreased. In coarctation of the aorta and interrupted aortic arch elevated flow velocities in cerebral arteries and decreased flow velocities in abdominal arteries are typical. Flow measurements in peripheral body arteries are helpful for further controls after therapeutic interventions.