[Mono-dimensional echocardiography in emergency diagnosis in the infant]

32 babies aged under three months underwent emergency echocardiography before further investigation and treatment. The diagnosis was made in 30 cases, a significant improvement on clinical examination alone. The echocardiographic analysis was concentrated on:--the interventricular septum,--septo-aortic continuity,--mitro-aortic continuity,--the position of the aorta,--the dimensions of the aorta, from which the size of the pulmonary artery could be deduced in cases of VSD with pulmonary obstruction. This analysis is completed by a study of the other cardiac structures, to give a rapid and reliable diagnosis. Additional essential information on the afferent and efferent cardiac arteries and veins is obtained by angiography. Echocardiography orientates the clinical diagnosis before catheterisation so increasing its value or, on the other hand, making it unnecessary (primary heart failure, Ebstein's anomaly, left ventricular hypoplasia). The ultrasonic examination orientates and limits the indications of angiography, so decreasing the risk of this procedure, and assuring the optimal conditons for the initiation of treatment.