Noninvasive evaluation of hemodynamics by Doppler echocardiography.

Doppler echocardiography plays an invaluable role in the diagnosis and management of patients with heart disease. Noninvasive measurements of cardiac output, pulmonary artery pressures, and left and right ventricular filling pressures can be obtained with reasonable accuracy at baseline and at intervals to assess the response to therapy. Furthermore, simple measurements of Doppler-acquired mitral inflow parameters provide independent and incremental prognostic data in patients with restrictive heart disease and in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and heart failure.