What is an advantage of continuous wave Doppler over pulsed wave Doppler?

Continuous wave Doppler provides an advantage in peak velocity detection because it is capable of measuring very high velocities without aliasing. This method utilizes two crystals: one that continuously transmits ultrasound waves while the other continuously receives them. As a result, continuous wave Doppler can sample blood flow at any depth along the beam path, making it particularly effective for evaluating high-velocity jets, such as those found in conditions like aortic stenosis or regurgitation.

In contrast, pulsed wave Doppler has limitations due to the sample volume it uses and the depth restriction it imposes, which can lead to aliasing when the flow velocities exceed the Nyquist limit. This results in an inability to accurately represent peak velocities in high-flow situations. Therefore, continuous wave Doppler is often the preferred choice in scenarios where peak velocity information is critical.