The uses of two-dimensional Doppler echocardiographic techniques preoperatively and postoperatively in a ventricular...

Doppler echocardiography was used to determine the site and size of a ventricular septal defect in a patient with a penetrating wound of the heart. Additional physiological measurements by Doppler study, including pulmonary artery pressure and degree of left-to-right shunting, were helpful in deciding on surgical closure of the defect as the definitive therapy in this patient. Associated intracardiac defects (e.g., mitral or tricuspid regurgitation) can be excluded by Doppler echocardiography.