title: [Possibilities and limits of quantitative analyses using Doppler echocardiography].
abstract: Blood flow velocities can be quantified using Doppler echocardiography if the angle is known. Systolic ventricular function can be evaluated by stroke-volume measurement (product of blood flow velocity over time), but individual data may depart significantly from invasive measurements. Information on the diastolic ventricular function is based on measurements in the ventricular inflow tract. These parameters are very sensitive, but not specific at all. The quantification of valvular stenosis is the domain of Doppler echocardiography. Pressure gradients can be obtained from the degree of the blood flow acceleration. The calculated valve area in aortic stenosis using the continuity equation and in AV-valvular stenosis using pressure half-time measurements renders reliable, valuable, and clinically relevant information which is quite independent of cardiac output and additional valvular regurgitations. However, a detailed knowledge about the potential impact on the acquired data due to the specific methodology, the investigator, and the individual patient is mandatory. Out of the Doppler-derived intraventricular pressure indices, the determination of the systolic right ventricular and pulmonary artery pressures in patients with tricuspid regurgitation is widely accepted and has clinical implications. Several semiquantitative procedures to evaluate regurgitant volumes have been developed, at present, however, a definite and reliable quantification is not possible.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik III der Universität zu Köln.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Curtius
mesh_terms: D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology*; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000503:physiopathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans
vernacular_title: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen quantitativer Analysen mittels der Doppler-Echokardiographie.