[Evaluation of aortic to pulmonary blood flow ratio by Doppler echocardiography in septal defects].

Pulsed Doppler-echocardiography was used to measure systemic and pulmonary blood flows in 22 patients aged from 3 months to 62 years presenting with interatrial (n = 13) or interventricular (n = 9) septal defect. Calculations were based on echographic measurements of aortic and pulmonary orifice areas and on the integral of maximal aortic and pulmonary Doppler velocity curves. Section areas or the arteries, taken as being circular, were deduced from arterial diameter measurements effected above Valsalva's sinus.