Velocity Time Integral (VTI) Formula:
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The Velocity Time Integral (VTI) represents the integral of velocity over time, commonly used in Doppler echocardiography to measure stroke distance and calculate cardiac output.
The calculator uses the VTI formula:
Where:
Explanation: For constant velocity, VTI simplifies to velocity multiplied by time. In clinical practice, VTI is typically measured using Doppler ultrasound to track blood flow velocity over the cardiac cycle.
Details: VTI is crucial in cardiology for calculating stroke volume (SV = VTI × cross-sectional area) and cardiac output (CO = SV × heart rate). It provides valuable hemodynamic information in various clinical scenarios.
Tips: Enter velocity in cm/s and time in seconds. For accurate clinical measurements, use Doppler echocardiography to obtain precise velocity-time curves.
Q1: What is the clinical significance of VTI?
A: VTI helps assess cardiac function, valve areas, and hemodynamic status. It's particularly useful in evaluating stenotic valves and calculating stroke volume.
Q2: How is VTI measured in echocardiography?
A: VTI is obtained by tracing the spectral Doppler envelope of blood flow across a valve or vessel, which represents the velocity-time curve.
Q3: What are typical VTI values?
A: Normal left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) VTI is typically 18-22 cm. Values may vary depending on the specific cardiac structure being measured.
Q4: Can VTI be used for all cardiac chambers?
A: Yes, VTI can be measured across all cardiac valves and major vessels to assess flow characteristics and calculate volumes.
Q5: What factors affect VTI measurements?
A: Heart rate, preload, afterload, contractility, and the angle between ultrasound beam and blood flow direction can all influence VTI measurements.