Reference values for pulsed Doppler signals from the blood flow on both sides of the aortic valve.

Pulsed Doppler signals were recorded in 215 healthy subjects, 120 males and 95 females, between 1 and 65 years of age. The measurements were performed in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and in the ascending aorta (AAO). Amplitude spectra from the Doppler signals were stored in digital form together with adjustment data for the instrument, the simultaneously registered ECG and respiration signal. The maximum velocity (Vmax), the maximum acceleration (Amax) and the width of the velocity distribution around Vmax (width) were derived from these spectra and used for the characterization of the signals. These parameters were computed without observer interaction using a computer program. Effects of age, sex, body surface area, heart rate and respiration were studied. Reference ranges were calculated. The following conclusions can be drawn: Vmax and Amax in the AAO decrease clearly with increasing age from approximately 100 to 60 cm s-1 and from 2000 to 1000 cm s-2 (medians), respectively. The variation of the width in the AAO is greater for people over 45 years. Vmax, Amax and width in the LVOT increase slightly with advancing age from approximately 60 to 80 cm s-1, 800 to 1000 cm s-2 and 12 to 15 cm s-1 (medians), respectively. These parameters of flow were either unrelated or only weakly related to other physiological variables in this study group.