[Normal values of 2-dimensional echocardiographic parameters in children].

The authors examined by two-dimensional echocardiography a group of 186 healthy children from birth to the age of 18 years. From the assembled records they measured the following: the inner diameter of the inferior vena cava, the diameter of the abdominal aorta, the area of the right and left atrium at the end of systole, the width of the ring of the tricuspid and mitral valve at the end of diastole, the area of the right and left ventricle at the end of systole and its circumference, the width of the annulus of the pulmonary artery, the diameter of the aortic arch, the diameter of the right and left branch of the pulmonary artery. The systolic function of the left ventricle and the curvature of the ventricular septum during systole was calculated from the assessed parameters of the left ventricle.

[Echocardiographic diagnosis of aortic coarctation in neonates and infants].

Based on experience with the examination of 78 children under one year with coarctation of the aorta the authors present an account of basic echocardiographic examination procedures and findings in this defect. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed in 98.8% of the patients a reduced pulsation of the abdominal aorta, as compared with the pulsation of the ascending aorta.

[Can atrial septal defects be reliably diagnosed by echocardiography?].

The diagnostic reliability of echocardiography (ECHO) was analyzed in a group of 179 children operated on account of an atrial septal defect (ASD) and partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (PAPVD). A total of 223 individual types of ASD and PAPVD and their mutual combinations were proved on operation. In all patients indirect signs of a left-to-right shunt at the atrial level was proved.

[Pneumococcal infectious endocarditis in an infant (case report)].

In a 10-month-old infant with purulent pneumococcal meningitis without structural heart disease acute infectious endocarditis developed. Echocardiographic examination revealed vegetations on both cusps of the mitral valve. With regard to the age and critical condition of the infant, in the acute stage surgical removal of the vegetations, was not indicated.

[Echocardiographic diagnosis of interrupted aortic arch in a group of 13 patients (children)].

Based on experience with the examination of 13 children with interruption of the aortal arch (IAA) the authors present an account of the basic echocardiographic (ECHO) diagnostic signs and procedures in IAA. Two-dimensional ECHO makes it possible, when a suprasternal approach is used, to assess the type of IAA. Examination from a subcostal and parasternal approach helps to detect associated heart diseases.