Effects of balloon valvuloplasty on left anterior descending coronary artery blood flow in a neonate with critical aortic stenosis with transthoracic doppler echocardiography

Abstract

Doppler echocardiography has recently been used in the assessment of coronary flow dynamics. We described the application of transthoracic Doppler echocardiography for the measurement of the coronary flow before and after balloon valvuloplasty in a neonate with critical aortic stenosis. In this case, coronary flow volume/left ventricular mass ratio increased after the procedure, suggesting the improvement of myocardial blood perfusion. Thus, this technique may provide additional information about coronary flow dynamics in patients with critical aortic stenosis.