American heart journal
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American heart journal · Nov 1983
Noninvasive evaluation of Blalock-Taussig shunts: determination of patency and differentiation from patent ductus arteriosus by doppler echocardiography.
Pulsed Doppler echocardiography has been used to detect continuous turbulent flow in the right pulmonary artery after Blalock-Taussig shunts. Since continuous turbulent flow could also arise from patent ductus arteriosus (frequently present in the neonate), continuous turbulent flow in the right pulmonary artery is not specific for Blalock-Taussig shunt function. We evaluated 35 Blalock-Taussig shunts from suprasternal or high parasternal approach for flow in the right pulmonary artery, and in the Blalock-Taussig shunts themselves. ⋯ Twenty-four of 31 functional shunts were identified, and all contained continuous turbulent flow. Three left-sided shunts were missed. All four occluded shunts were identified by Doppler, and had no lumen flow within.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)