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.
Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison 53792.
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Rahko
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