[Why is the Doppler pressure gradient higher than the one measured by catheter?]

Hemodynamic assessment of aorto-iliac occlusive disease is necessary for successful arterial reconstruction of the legs. Various methods have been proposed and the "pull-through" intra-arterial pressure measurement method is accepted as the best standard. The pressure readings, however, seemed to depend on the intraluminal position of the catheter. To explain these observations and make a comparison between the Doppler method and the "pull-through" method, we have studied center-line velocity changes at the stenosis throat by Doppler ultrasound, and axial and lateral pressure gradients using pressure transducers, mounted 10 mm and 40 mm downstream of short (4 mm) and long (40 mm) axisymmetric sharp-edged model stenoses having cross sectional reduced areas of 64%, 84%, 91%, and 96%. Axial manometric pressures measured 10 mm after the throat of 84% stenosis were more than twice as high as the lateral pressures. There was no significant difference between axial and lateral pressures measured 40 mm downstream from throat. This pressure distribution has important clinical relevance. Mean and peak pressure gradients for both the Doppler method and manometric measurements were compared. Measurements with Doppler method and manometric measurements, indicated that mean pressure gradients (r = 0.98; SEE = +/- -2.4 mmHg) correlate better than peak pressure gradients (r = 0.90; SEE = +/- 16.5 mmHg). Doppler gradients were higher than manometer gradients. Overestimation was 13% for mean pressure gradients, and ranging from 10% to 150% for peak pressure gradients. Explanation for the difference between mean Doppler and catheter gradient may be the pressure recovery occurring in the relaminarized poststenotic regions.