R.EGUR•.G ITA.NT fLOW PATTERN Of CAR' DIAC VA.LVES. BY DOPPLER ECROCARDl0GRAPHY lN CHlLDR EN WtTH CLlNlCALLY NOR'MAL, HEART

Abstract

Doppler echocardiography is considered now the most sensiti ve method that could readily exami11e the flow across cardiac valves and detect the presence of regurgitation. Wide spread use of Doppler ech o h as resulted in a sudden epidemic of valvular regurgitation. Detection of prevalance of nonnal regurgitation as shown by Doppler echocardiography is important since this infonnation helps to guide the interpretation of clinical shtdies and helps to reassure the many normal individuals who have such findin gs.

The ann of the present study is to detennine th e frequency of occurance of regurgitant flow pattems by Doppler echocardiography in nonnal children and to describe its characteristics.