Angiosonography of patent ductus arteriosus in neonates.

A diagnosis of patent ductus arterious (PDA) in neonates is occasionally difficult. With an umbilical artery catheter in the descending thoracic aorta, agitated saline or dextrose solutions can be used as a sonographic contrast agent during real-time ultrasound monitoring of the origins of the great arteries. Videorecording is performed during rapid injection of 1-2 ml of sonographic contrast. Detection of echoes in the pulmonary artery signifies a PDA. Angiosonography is a clinically useful bedside procedure performed in the neonatal intensive care unit without the use of ionizing radiation, iodinated contrast or extensive catheter manipulation.