Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of ventricular septal defects in adults.
Ventricular septal defects account for 10% to 15% of all congenital heart defects observed in adults.  The type of defects observed tend to fall at the extreme ends of the spectrum: small restrictive defects with minimal shunts, and large nonrestrictive defects associated with severe occlusive pulmonary vascular disease.  Doppler echocardiography has evolved into a powerful diagnostic modality that comprehensively evaluates the anatomical and pathophysiological consequences of a ventricular septal defect.  The spectrum of findings caused by ventricular septal defects is the subject of this review.
Rahko
P S
PS
Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison 53792.
D000328:Adult; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D003323:Coronary Aneurysm / Q000150:complications; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity