Transesophageal Echocardiographic Assessment of Aortic Coarctation Using Color, Flow-Directed Doppler Sampling

We report the use of color, flow-directed transesophageal Doppler in the evaluation of aortic coarctation. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was used to define the aortic shelf in two adults with mild and moderate postductal coarctation, respectively. The color mosaic pattern aided in identification of the coarctation location and orifice diameter. Continuous wave and pulsed cursors were steered to provide sampling parallel to the color jet direction and gradients calculated by the modified Bernoulli formula, excluding prestenotic velocities. Measured pressure gradients were equivalent to those determined at catheterization. We conclude that color, flow-directed TEE Doppler sampling can aid in the identification and characterization of adult patients with aortic coarctation.