[Importance of Doppler echocardiography in the assessment of heart defects].

Doppler ultrasound is now an established noninvasive method in cardiology. The most important indications are: 1. stenosis/insufficiencies of atrioventricular/semilunar valves, 2. dysfunction of artificial valves, 3. atrial and ventricular septal defects. The information obtained from Doppler ultrasound lends itself to quantitative or qualitative analysis. There is general consensus about the qualitative interpretation of Doppler ultrasound data, whereas quantitative analysis is still debated. A critical analysis of Doppler ultrasound data is a conditio sine qua non for correct interpretation.