Quantitative hemodynamics by Doppler echocardiography: a noninvasive alternative to cardiac catheterization.

Doppler echocardiography has greatly enhanced the information provided by two-dimensional echocardiography. By providing information concerning pressure gradients, intracardiac pressures, volumetric flow, and diastolic filling of the heart, most hemodynamic information that in the past could be obtained only from cardiac catheterization can now be provided accurately and noninvasively by Doppler echocardiography. Future developments in instrument technology and understanding of the various Doppler velocity curves should further aid in the ability to obtain a complete, noninvasive hemodynamic assessment of the patient with cardiac disease.