Diagnostic possibilities of 1- and 2-dimensional Doppler and contrast echocardiography in congenital heart defects
Müller, K.D.; Bühlmeyer, K.
Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kinderheilkunde 132(1): 6-16
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-9298 PMID: 6700606 Document Number: 233094
Indications and accuracy of real-time one- and two-dimensional echocardiography in combination with Doppler- and contrast methods in the noninvasive diagnosis of congenital cardiac malformations are presented. In contrast to the conventional 1-dimensional (M-Mode) echocardiography the 2-dimensional approach provides precise anatomic cardiac details in almost all cardiac lesions. Even complex congenital cardiac heart disorders and situs abdominalis can readily be differentiated. In some lesions like hypoplastic left heart syndrome, pericardial effusion, different forms of cardiomyopathy, uncomplicated bicuspid aortic valves, acute bacterial endocarditis, patent ductus arteriosus in prematures and in cardiovascular tumors cardiac catheterization is not indicated. In the remaining malformations 2-dimensional echocardiography is an excellent screening test and provides accurate and detailed informations with regard to spatial anatomy and valve morphology so that invasive studies can be performed with less contrast agent and hence with greater safety. With the use of contrast echocardiography right-to-left shunting, in some cases even left-to-right shunts, due to negative contrast effects can be demonstrated. Pulsed and continuous Doppler echocardiography allows noninvasive detection of valvular stenoses and -incompetence, aorto-pulmonic connections and small atrial- or ventricular septal defects. Pressure gradients, cardiac output and left to right shunting can be determined accurately.