Open AccessRole of echo/doppler in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism
Author(s) -
Torbicki Adam,
Tramarin Roberto,
Morpurgo Mario
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960151104
Subject(s) - medicine , pulmonary embolism , cardiology , ventricle , interventricular septum , pulmonary artery , radiology , doppler effect , doppler echocardiography , hemodynamics , pulmonary hypertension , myocardial infarction , heart disease , diastole , blood pressure , physics , astronomy
Echocardiography supplemented with pulsed and continuous wave Doppler facilities is a potent diagnostic tool in many cardiovascular disorders. Its potential role in the management of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism, though less extensively studied, deserves attention. Benefits of echo/Doppler in these patients are as follows 1 Echo/Doppler is a noninvasive, relatively inexpensive technique, readily available and repeatable in critically ill patients at the bedside. 2 Echo/Doppler provides a number of independent parameters related to the pulmonary hemodynamics. These parameters include a Characteristics of blood flow velocity curves across the right heart valves as well as systolic and diastolic time intervals of the right ventricle b Motion pattern of the interventricular septum c Dimensions of the heart chambers and inferior vena cava d Thickness of the right ventricular free wall3 Echocardiography allows detection of thrombi within right heart chambers or in major branches of the pulmonary artery in some patients. 4 Echo/Doppler may disclose alternative abnormalities explaining symptoms found in a patient with suspected pulmonary embolism such as pericardial disease, myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, hypovolemic shock, etc.