MedLecturesMadeEasy's video: Comparing Doppler modalities

Modality Clinical uses Disadvantages Pulsed wave Targeted areas: Measures blood flow velocities through pulmonary veins, mitral valve, and in low flow areas in the heart Cannot measure fast blood flow velocities; limited by Nyquist limit Contin- uous wave High velocities: Measures blood flow velocities through the aorta, aortic valve, stenotic valve lesions, regurgitant valvular jets Cannot identify the location of the peak velocity along the ultrasound scan line Color flow Enhances the recognition of Valvular abnormalities and intracardiac shunts Cannot measure fast blood flow velocities; limited by Nyquist limit M-mode Examines a line of motion over time (monodimensional view of the heart); used to view rapidly moving structures, such as valve leaflets Orientation and interpretation of spatial relationships is difficult; can’t measure blood flow velocity