Validation of Stroke Volume Measured with Suprasternal Aortic Doppler Imaging: Comparison to Transthoracic Stroke Volume Measurements

Abstract

Rationale:​ During head up, tilt testing measurement of Stroke Volume Index (SVI) is informative on hemodynamics. The transthoracic Doppler approach is difficult during standing. Alternatively, suprasternal Doppler measurements can also provide SVI information. Validation of SVI between the techniques is not available in a large group of subjects in literature. Objective:​ Therefore, the aim was to compare SVI with suprasternal aortic Doppler and SVI with transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in CFS/ME patients, prone for orthostatic stress. Methods and Results:​119 consecutive CFS/ME patients underwent HUT. Suprasternal aortic Doppler time-velocity integrals were acquired for Doppler SVI calculation, together with transthoracic Doppler echocardiographic SVI measurements. Both were obtained in the supine position. The slope of the relation:​SVI Doppler suprasternal aortic VTI imaging vs SVI Doppler transthoracic was close to the line of identity. Conclusions:​This large patient study confirms that for hemodynamic assessment during HUT suprasternal Doppler measurements of SVI can be reliably used instead of the standard transthoracic Doppler measurement of SVI.