To accurately determine peak aortic velocity in patients with aortic stenosis, which Doppler method should be utilized?

Utilizing continuous wave Doppler is the most effective method for accurately measuring peak aortic velocity in patients with aortic stenosis. This technique allows for the assessment of high-velocity blood flow without the limitations imposed by the Nyquist limit, which can occur with pulsed wave Doppler. The continuous wave Doppler uses two transducers, one for transmitting and the other for receiving ultrasound signals, enabling it to measure the velocities of blood flow over a longer distance. This is particularly important in the context of aortic stenosis, where the peak velocity can be significant, and accurately quantifying this value is crucial for assessing the severity of the stenosis and guiding patient management.

In contrast, pulsed wave Doppler is limited to measuring velocities in a specific sample volume and can underestimate high velocities due to aliasing. Color Doppler provides a visual representation of blood flow but does not produce exact numeric velocity measurements that are needed for specific calculations, such as those used to estimate aortic valve area. Power Doppler enhances sensitivity to slow flow but does not offer detailed velocity information necessary for assessing aortic stenosis severity. Therefore, the continuous wave Doppler is the preferred method for capturing the peak aortic velocity in such cases.