[Moving-picture corss-sectional echocardiography in normal children]

Using a parallel-scan B-mode ultrasonic system (Vidoson, Siemens) 200 children with clinically normal hearts were examined. Using a cross-section parallel to the left sternal border, rapid and easily reporducible multi-frame echocardiograms were obtained with simultaneous presentation of the aortic, pulmonary and mitral valves. Interpretation of this cross-section, with echos from the three valves, the aortic route, pulmonary artery, right and left ventricles and left atrium, was checked against post-mortem studies and in-vivo contrast studies with ultrasonic contrast medium (indocyanine-green). As the described method is not ECG-triggered, only important morphological changes are demonstrable.