Objective: To investigate whether accurate estimation of the diameter of the patent ductus arteriosus can be obtained by colour Doppler echocardiography.
Methods: The minimum and maximum diameters of the patent ductus arteriosus were measured by colour Doppler echocardiography and compared with its angiographic size.
Results: We studied 40 patients, aged between 4 months and 18 years. The measured pulmonary side diameter in echocardiography was 33.6% larger than that in angiography, and the aortic side was 7.8% smaller. We found a correlation between the measurements of the minimum and maximum size of the patent ductus arteriosus (r = 48.8 and 52.6) by colour Doppler echocardiography and angiographic findings, respectively.
Conclusion: Colour Doppler echocardiography significantly overestimates the minimum size of the patent ductus arteriosus; therefore, reconsideration of the respective size is suggested.