Echo- and angiocardiography in the diagnosis of critical valvular stenosis and atresia of the pulmonary artery with intact ventricular septum in infants]

Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic findings were compared with those of coronary angiography and cardiac catheterization in 31 patients (11 with pulmonary atresia and 20 with critical pulmonary stenosis in the presence of ventricular septum). Two-dimensional echocardiography was found to accurately define the linear dimensions, volumes, and ejection fraction of the ventricles in patients with the disease. Continuous Doppler echocardiography is a valuable tool for measuring right ventricular systolic pressure and pressure gradient between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographies enable surgical tactics to be chosen in most cases without interventions.