[Pulsed Doppler and bidimensional echocardiography in patent ductus arteriosus]

The classical form of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) does not usually pose any difficulty in diagnosing. When the auscultatory signs are atypical, for example in the newborn or in cases with pulmonary hypertension, pulsed Doppler echocardiography may be a useful diagnostic aid. This study reports the results of pulsed Doppler examination in PDA. Twenty-four children with a suspected PDA underwent pulsed Doppler examination during 2D echocardiography. This population was divided into 2 groups; Group I: children who underwent catheterisation, and group II: in which catheterisation was not performed. The mean age in Group I was 7 years compared to 50 days in Group II, which mainly comprised newborn and premature babies. Direct visualisation of PDA by 2D echo was attempted in all cases. The search for a PDA by pulsed Doppler was made by positioning the sample volume at the bifurcation of the main pulmonary artery. PDA is associated with turbulent systolo-diastolic flow away from the transducer. Suprasternal and subcostal views were also used. In Group I (13 cases) PDA was directly visualised by 2D echo in 7 children (53 p. 100). By comparison, pulsed Doppler examination diagnosed all 13 cases of PDA; these results were confirmed at catheterisation or surgery. In Group II (11 cases) direct visualisation of PDA was successful in 6 cases (54 p. 100). Pulsed Doppler was non-specific, showing typical flow disturbances in 8 cases and systolic turbulence in 3 cases at the level of bifurcation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)