1. What is Blood Flow Rate?

Definition: Blood flow rate (Q_b) is the volume of blood passing through a vessel per unit time, typically measured in milliliters per minute (mL/min).

Purpose: This calculation is essential in cardiovascular physiology, medical diagnostics, and hemodynamic monitoring.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q_b \) — Blood flow rate (mL/min)
• \( V_b \) — Blood velocity (cm/s)
• \( A_v \) — Cross-sectional area of blood vessel (cm²)

Explanation: The calculator multiplies blood velocity by vessel area to get flow in cm³/s, then converts to mL/min by multiplying by 60.

3. Clinical Importance

Details: Accurate blood flow measurement helps assess circulatory function, diagnose vascular diseases, and monitor treatment effectiveness.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the blood velocity in cm/s and vessel cross-sectional area in cm². Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is blood velocity typically measured?
A: Clinically using Doppler ultrasound, though other methods like MRI or invasive catheters may be used.

Q2: What's a normal blood flow rate?
A: Varies by vessel - average cardiac output is 5000 mL/min, while smaller arteries may be 50-500 mL/min.

Q3: Why convert to mL/min?
A: mL/min is the standard clinical unit for reporting blood flow rates.

Q4: How do I measure vessel cross-sectional area?
A: Typically via imaging (ultrasound, angiography) using \( \pi r^2 \) for circular vessels.

Q5: Does this account for pulsatile flow?
A: No, this calculates mean flow. For pulsatile flow, more complex calculations are needed.