The value of contrast echocardiography in the diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus with Eisenmenger's syndrome

When patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is complicated by pulmonary hypertensio n resulting in a right-to-left shunt, an erroneous diagnosis of primary pul monary hypertension may be made, even after echocardiographic examination. Among the 8 patients referred to our echocardiography laboratory with the d iagnosis of primary pulmonary hypertension between June 1994 and November 1 999, 2 patients were found to have PDA with Eisenmenger's syndrome. Patent ductus arteriosus with Eisenmenger's syndrome can be diagnosed by the opaci fication of the abdominal aorta without opacification of the left-sided cha mbers during contrast echocardiography.