DOPPLER-ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY DURING EXERCISE TO PREDICT RESIDUAL NARROWING OF THE AORTA AFTER COARCTATION RESECTION

Blood pressure measurements and Doppler echocardiography at rest and d uring exercise were per formed in 36 patients at an average 17 years a fter coarctation resection, Interest focused on the study of Doppler s ystolic and diastolic gradients and half-times during exercise. Blood pressure gradients and Doppler values were compared with the degree of narrowing al the site of the anastomosis measured by magnetic resonan ce imaging. A systolic half-time of >110 ms together with a diastolic gradient of greater than or equal to 17 mmHg on exercise Doppler sonog raphy predicted a residual isthmic narrowing of >30%, We propose the u se of this noninvasive method for identifying patients with narrowing of >30% at the site of the anastomosis after coarctation resection, In these cases evaluation by an imaging technique is necessary to confir m the need for surgery.