Practical Quantitative Doppler Echocardiography

This book provides essential information for using quantitative Doppler echocardiography in routine clinical cardiological practice. It translates complex concepts and formulations into practical, easily understood evaluations that will allow any properly equipped echocardiographic laboratory to enjoy the rewards of "quantitative" cardiac Doppler. The book is organized so that physical-physiological mechanisms and methods are presented first and then their practical applications are emphasized for various anatomical sites in the cardiovascular system. Chapter summaries are provided to allow readers to rapidly review the most pertinent information contained within each chapterr.

The book's first four chapters deal basically with the fundamental mechanisms that affect clinical evaluations, such as basic formulations, pressure gradients, pressure half-times, and time velocity integrals. Remaining chapters discuss the anatomical areas of the heart and great vessels. Appendix A presents "technical tips" relative to the performance of the Doppler examination. Appendix B provides helpful blank "worksheets" and valvular and hemodynamic abnormalities. Appendix C presents an easy reference to normal and abnormal echo-Doppler values.

Both cardiology students and practicing professionals will find this book indispensable for help with upgrading the level of noninvasive diagnostic capabilities in their Doppler echocardiographic labs.