[Non-invasive exploration of valvular heart disease using Pulsed Doppler Flowmetry with echography (author's transl)].

A new method for diagnosing and assessing valvular heart disease is proposed, based on the analysis of transvalvular, pulmonary artery and aortic flow velocity curves recorded transcutaneously using Pulsed Doppler-echography. The normal tracings are presented and anomalies of the curves disclosed in 97 patients are analysed. It is concluded that this new, simple, non-invasive and repetable method is useful for diagnosing and assessing valvular heart disease, within limitations which are discussed.