Which parameter can be adjusted to enhance Doppler sensitivity in ultrasound examinations?

Adjusting the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) is crucial for enhancing Doppler sensitivity in ultrasound examinations. The PRF refers to the number of sound pulses emitted by the transducer per second. When the PRF is increased, the system can detect higher velocity blood flow more effectively by reducing the distance that the reflected Doppler signals must travel before being processed. Higher PRF settings allow for more frequent sampling of the moving blood cells, which is particularly vital when observing fast-moving structures or flows.

If the PRF is set too low, aliasing can occur, where the displayed frequency of the blood flow appears inaccurately due to the limitations in sampling speed. By optimizing the PRF, the ultrasound system can accurately capture a wider range of velocities and improve overall Doppler sensitivity, making it easier to identify abnormalities in blood flow.

Other parameters such as frequency, gain, and dynamic range play significant roles in the quality and clarity of the ultrasound image. However, they do not directly impact Doppler sensitivity in the same way that PRF adjustments do. Frequency changes affect the attenuation and resolution of the ultrasound signal, gain adjusts the overall brightness of the image, and dynamic range pertains to the scale of signal amplitudes displayed, but none of these adjustments specifically