Experience with qualitative and quantitative applications of Doppler echocardiography in congenital heart disease
Abstract
The increasing popularity of Doppler echocardiography in recent years has stemmed from the combination of Doppler with two-dimensional echocardiography, and from the Doppler capability for flow velocity measurement. In the past decade, Doppler instrumentation has evolved from single probe A- and M-mode systems with non-quantitative Doppler output, into multi-faceted instruments combining two-dimensional echo, M-mode echo, with both pulsed and continuous wave Doppler. In the field of pediatric cardiology, quantitative Doppler applications have proven most useful in noninvasive measurement of the severity of obstruction at aortic and pulmonic valves, and across pulmonary artery bands. High accuracy is enjoyed using either continuous wave, or high pulse repetition pulsed wave, Doppler. Additional quantitative applications include estimation of volume aortic flow (cardiac output), and comparison with volume pulmonic flow (pulmonary to systemic flow ratio). Through evaluation of specific disturbances of blood flow (timing, location, direction, duration), qualitative aspects of Doppler continue to provide sensitive and specific diagnosis of valvular disease, as well as shunt lesions such as atrial and ventricular septal defect, and p...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Birth Defects
Birth defects encompass structural and functional alterations that occur during embryonic or fetal development and are present since birth. The cause may be genetic, environmental or unknown and can result in physical and/or mental impairment. Here is the latest research on birth defects.