Quantification of left-to-right atrial shunting and defect size after balloon mitral commissurotomy using biplane transesophageal echocardiography, color flow Doppler mapping, and the principle of proximal flow convergence.

Abstract

The flow convergence region imaged by TEE color flow mapping provides new and accurate quantitative information on atrial shunt flow and defect size after balloon mitral valvotomy. It is a quick, reliable, and fairly simple method that can be readily incorporated into routine clinical practice.