Arterial duplex waveform interpretation

What you need to know about interpreting duplex ultrasound and arterial waveforms for stenosis. Click here for more!
Last update26th Feb 2021

Duplex ultrasound waveforms are obtained in segments throughout the leg and compared for degradation from triphasic to biphasic or monophasic waveforms. The waveforms are then correlated with velocities to confirm stenosis.

The concept of ankle-brachial index (ABI) Doppler phasicity, or peaks and pits, holds true for duplex ultrasound waveforms as well. For example, triphasic waveforms look and sound triphasic on duplex ultrasound.

Figure 1. Triphasic waveforms on duplex ultrasound consist of two peaks and one pit.

However, duplex ultrasound is different from ABI because if there is stiffening and degradation of phasicity, you can image the area and identify if the degradation is due to plaque build-up or wall calcification. With duplex ultrasound, you can see the vessel and confirm if it is widely patent. Duplex ultrasound also records the waveforms on a velocity scale, which helps grade the percentage of stenosis.

The stages of waveform degradation on duplex ultrasound

A loss of phasicity occurs in stages; each stage represents different severities of disease. These stages of waveform degradation are clearly seen on duplex and fall into one of three categories:

  1. Pre-stenosis
  2. Intra-stenosis
  3. Post-stenosis
Figure 2. The three stages of waveform degradation include pre-stenosis, intra-stenosis, and post-stenosis.

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Identifying stages of waveform degradation on duplex ultrasound

When performing duplex ultrasound, the technologist will begin at the common femoral artery (CFA) and move distally down the leg to thoroughly evaluate all the main arteries. Similar to ABIs, multiphasic waveforms are considered normal. If there is a blockage in the leg from significant stenosis, triphasic waveforms will only be obtained proximal to the blockage.

Let’s take a look at a patient case to demonstrate how to interpret duplex waveforms and identify stages of degradation.

Pre-stenosis waveforms

On ultrasound, the patient’s CFA waveforms are triphasic which indicate normal aortoiliac inflow since the CFA is distal to the aorta and iliac arteries. As mentioned, arteries distal to significant stenosis will not be triphasic.

Figure 3. A normal color flow duplex ultrasound and triphasic waveforms at the common femoral artery (CFA) indicate normal aortoiliac flow since the aorta and iliac arteries are proximal to the CFA.

Intra-stenosis waveforms

Further down the leg at the mid-superficial femoral artery (SFA), the patient’s waveforms are still multiphasic which indicate normal blood flow. However, the waveforms at the popliteal artery show spectral broadening (e.g., snowy filling of the waveform window due to turbulence produced by stenosis). This is categorized as an intra-stenosis popliteal artery waveform.

With this patient, you can also see an increase in velocity at the popliteal artery in comparison to the velocity at the SFA (Fig. 4). This happens because the lumen diameter decreases from stenosis which causes the blood velocity to increase.

Figure 4. A patient with a normal color flow duplex ultrasound and multiphasic waveforms at the level of the superficial femoral artery (SFA). However, waveforms at the popliteal artery show spectral broadening and the blood velocity (vel) has increased to 576 cm / s which indicates that stenosis is present in the popliteal artery.

Post-stenosis waveforms

Arterial waveforms distal to significant stenosis are usually monophasic. Keep in mind that waveforms can sometimes occur below the baseline simply because of phasic vein Doppler interference—which is blood flow in the veins.

Figure 5. Arterial waveforms distal to significant stenosis are typically monophasic. The waveform area beneath the baseline is due to phasic vein Doppler interference.

Comparing ABI and duplex ultrasound findings

For the patient case featuring popliteal artery stenosis, compare the patient’s ABI test to their duplex ultrasound findings. The dampened monophasic ankle waveforms and abnormal ratios suggest stenosis. But, the findings don’t give any information about the location. The duplex ultrasound confirmed that the blockage location was in the popliteal artery.

Figure 6. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) from a patient with popliteal artery stenosis showed dampened monophasic ankle waveforms and abnormal ratios.

Recognizing a Doppler bruit on duplex ultrasound

Occasionally, a Doppler bruit will occur on a duplex ultrasound. This is from the vibration of a severely stenotic vessel. If this is seen, but the velocities are not elevated, keep searching nearby since the vibration is usually coming from a stenotic artery.

Figure 7. A Doppler bruit on a duplex ultrasound waveform indicates that stenosis is nearby.

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Recommended reading

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About the author

Elizabeth Tenny, BS RVT RDCS
Elizabeth is a Senior Vascular Sonographer at Stanford University’s hospital in Stanford, California.
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