[Echocardiography diagnosis of persistent ductus arteriosus]

Over a period of 2 years PDA was diagnosed in 151 children by means of 2-D-echo combined with Doppler technique. In 47 patients the lesion was also visualized by colour coded Doppler echocardiography. Sixty-seven children had isolated ductus arteriosus, whereas the others had additional cardiac malformations. In 90 patients PDA was confirmed by invasive diagnosis and/or operation or by autopsy. The diagnosis was made on the first echocardiographic examination in all but 2 infants with subaortic ventricular septal defect and pulmonary hypertension. The practical procedure is described in detail. The authors conclude that combined two-dimensional and Doppler echo allow a safe diagnosis of PDA.